From Sobriety to the Root Cause: My Battle with Food Addiction
Sober Date: March 13, 2020
Months Sober: 65
Why I Share This Every Month
Every month on this day, I pause. Not just to celebrate how far I’ve come, but to remember the hell that was. My story might be the spark for “the one” who’s hoping, hurting, or desperate enough to try.
Sobriety taught me to dig deeper. After thousands of hours of books, podcasts, church, counseling, and prayer, I’ve moved past blame and opened myself to the truth. That truth? The real battle isn’t alcohol anymore—it’s the root that fed it.
“Our food choices are either feeding our health or feeding our sickness.”
What I Discovered
I’ve been so protective of my growth that I built walls instead of bridges. That’s counterproductive. And when I really looked back, I saw the puzzle pieces of destruction:
Anger
Frustration
Impatience
Shame
Loud and obnoxious behavior
Divorce
Pushing people away
Losing friendships and jobs
Alcoholism and drug use
Chaos and destruction
Those were all symptoms. The root? Food addiction. Overeating. Body shame.
It’s not glamorous. It’s not the bleeding headline in recovery circles. But it’s real—and it’s been dominating my life far longer than alcohol ever did.
“Your illness does not define you. Your strength and courage do.”
Why the System Didn’t Work for This
I’ve sat in circle chair groups where food addiction barely gets a mention. I even had a leader tell me I might be “addicted to the meetings” after speaking for only 13 minutes across three weeks.
You can’t diagnose a complex human in 13 minutes.
You can’t heal someone by only addressing the symptom.
These systems can be a starting point, but they’re not designed to grow you out of the seat and into the community.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
The Truth About Food Addiction
Overeating and obesity are linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety.
1 in 10 people with obesity meet the criteria for food addiction.
Studies show dopamine responses to sugar and processed foods mimic those to addictive drugs.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S., affecting about 3.5% of women and 2% of men in their lifetime.
Recommended Books
Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction – Vera Tarman, MD
Bright Line Eating – Susan Peirce Thompson
Made to Crave – Lysa TerKeurst
The End of Overeating – David A. Kessler, MD
Crave: A Journey to Healing from Food Addiction – Christine Carter
Support Groups for Food Addiction
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) – 12-step program for those with food-related compulsions.
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) – For people recovering from food addiction and compulsive eating.
Compulsive Eaters Anonymous (CEA-HOW) – Structured 12-step recovery for compulsive eaters.
Bright Line Eating – Science-based program focusing on food freedom.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
