Food Addiction Treatment Programs

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Food addiction is a serious medical condition. Similar to drug addiction, the symptoms of food addiction can include difficulty controlling behavior, cravings, tolerance, dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse.

Unfortunately, many people who suffer from food addiction may hesitate to get help because the condition is often accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.

This article answers the following questions about food addiction treatment:

• Is there a cure for food addiction?
• What are the symptoms of food addiction withdrawal?
• What are the benefits of residential inpatient treatment?
• What outpatient treatment programs are available for food addiction?
• Are luxury and executive rehab facilities available?
• What therapies are available for food addiction?
• What over-the-counter and prescription medications can treat food addiction?
• What 12-step programs and support groups are available?
• How can I find information on the best food addiction treatment centers?

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Is There a Cure for Food Addiction?

According to The Food Addiction Institute, it is possible to overcome food addiction. Like other addictions, the condition may not be “cured” with a single course of treatment. But treatment can help to bring the condition into remission and can help you to repair any psychological, social, and economic damage.²

The goals of food addiction treatment are to:

• Reduce overeating.
• Help with any needed weight loss.
• Address other issues associated with the illness, such as shame and low self-esteem.

Treatment for food addiction is similar to treatment for drug addiction. It typically includes counseling and support groups to help reduce cravings and to prevent relapse. Some insurance providers offer coverage for eating disorder treatment. Medications may also be used to reduce binge-eating episodes and/or suppress appetite.³  

Food Addiction Withdrawal

When people think of withdrawal symptoms, they typically think of substance abuse. However, food addiction has been shown to have its own associated withdrawal symptoms.

Some people with food addiction may have no withdrawal symptoms, but others can experience a variety of symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the foods eaten and the person’s body chemistry.

Common withdrawal symptoms people detoxing from food addiction may experience include:

• Periodic cravings.
• Headaches.
• Confused or fuzzy thinking.
• Insomnia.
• Excessive sleepiness for a period of time.⁵

Although these symptoms can occur when a person is detoxing from certain foods, the symptoms are not always a direct result of the addiction itself. Many people have underlying health conditions as a result of their food addiction, and these conditions can contribute to the symptoms.⁵

If you’d like to learn more about food addiction treatment options that include detox, call a treatment support advisor at . An Eating Disorder Assessment can help you understand your habits better.

Residential Inpatient Treatment

Residential inpatient food addiction treatment centers are available for those suffering from food addiction or another eating disorder.

When people commit to a residential inpatient food addiction rehab program, they live at the facility and remain there 24/7 for a designated period of time. A starting length of treatment is typically 28-30 days, but programs can be 60, 90, 180, or 365 days in some cases.

Benefits of attending a residential recovery center include:

• Focused, around-the-clock care.
• Absence of the triggers and stressors of the outside world.
• Scheduled and carefully portioned meals, which reduce the possibility of binge eating.
• No need to worry about transportation to and from treatment.
• Supervised detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and support groups.
• The support of peers facing similar addictions.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient food addiction recovery centers are similar to inpatient programs. The treatments offered are typically the same, but care takes place on a part-time basis.

Outpatient food addiction rehab programs are ideal for those suffering from less severe food addictions as well as those who wish to remain active in their personal and professional lives. Some common treatment options offered in outpatient food addiction recovery centers include:

• Individual counseling.
• Group therapy.
• Support groups.
• 12-step programs.

Luxury and Executive Facilities

Luxury and executive treatment facilities are residential programs that are typically much more expensive than standard recovery centers. But they offer extra privacy and access to high-end amenities, services, and features, such as:

• Private rooms.
• Ocean or scenic view rooms.
• Massage and spa treatments.
• Acupuncture.
• Swimming pools and hot tubs.
• Gourmet meals.
• Golf courses.
• Horseback riding (equine therapy).
• Fitness centers.
• Recreational facilities.
• Yoga and meditation.
• Other alternative and complementary therapies.

If you need help deciding which type of food addiction treatment center is right for you, call our helpline anytime at .

Therapies for Food Addiction

Therapy for food addiction or binge eating disorder helps a person reduce the frequency of binge behavior, lose weight, and address psychological issues related to the addiction. Therapies for food addiction may be offered on an inpatient or outpatient basis and include the following:³

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT techniques teach people trying to overcome food addiction how thoughts and feelings can impact behavior. This therapeutic approach typically focuses on moderation rather than avoidance or abstinence from foods. It teaches coping skills and relapse prevention techniques, and identifying triggers for addictive behavior.

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT was developed as a treatment for borderline personality disorder, but it has also proved effective at treating food addiction. Through DBT, people can learn how to tolerate stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships, which can reduce the desire to turn to food as a stress-reliever.
• Nutritional counseling: Nutritional counselors or dieticians can teach people with food addiction how to cultivate healthy eating habits. Because we need food to survive, a person cannot remain abstinent in the same way they could if they were in recovery from a substance use disorder.
• Interpersonal psychotherapy: Because binge eating can occur as a means of coping with relationship issues, teaching healthy communication skills and enhancing the quality of one’s support system can reduce the number of instances of binge eating episodes.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

A few medications have successfully reduced symptoms of food addiction and binge eating disorder. These may be prescribed in food addiction rehab and recovery centers. The most commonly prescribed are:³

• Topamax (Topiramate): Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug that is usually prescribed to control seizures. It has been shown to reduce binge eating episodes, but it has side effects and risks, including dizziness and kidney stones.
• Antidepressants (SSRIs): Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants can also reduce the number of binge eating episodes. Researchers have hypothesized that it may be due to the drug’s improvement of mood, which may reduce the negative feelings that often trigger binge eating. These drugs can have a wide range of side effects, from nausea and drowsiness to sexual dysfunction and nervousness.
• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate): Vyvanse is a stimulant medication typically prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It reduces appetite, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for the treatment of moderate to severe binge eating disorders. However, it is a controlled substance and can be habit-forming. It also has side effects such as dry mouth, headaches, and insomnia.

Support Groups and 12-Step Programs

Support groups and 12-step programs help people work on overcoming food addiction. Many of the 12-step programs available use the same 12-step approach developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, where participants work through the steps with the help of a sponsor.

Some of the common 12-step programs for food addiction include:

• Food Addicts Anonymous:Food Addicts Anonymous believes that food addiction cannot be cured by willpower or therapy alone and is a biochemical disorder rather than a moral or character issue. They approach food addiction recovery by abstaining from addictive foods, following a nutrition plan, and working through the traditional steps.
• Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is an international fellowship for those who have experienced problems with food and eating. Their path to recovery follows the traditional steps among the mutual support of others recovering from food addiction.
• Overeaters Anonymous: Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of people who are in recovery from compulsive eating. Their goal is to abstain from compulsive eating and food behaviors through mutual support, shared experience, strength, and hope.
• Compulsive Eaters Anonymous: Compulsive Eaters Anonymous is designed for anyone seeking recovery from compulsive eating. The meetings use a structured, disciplined approach to recovery by accepting and carrying out each of the steps among the support of peers.

How to Find the Best Food Addiction Treatment Centers

If you or someone you love is suffering from food addiction, there is hope. To learn more about food addiction treatment centers near you, contact our recovery support hotline for information and assistance at .

Read next: Getting Help for Food Addiction

Sources

[1]. Olsen, C. (2011). Natural Rewards, Neuroplasticity, and Non-Drug Addictions. Neuropharmacology, 61(7): 1109-1122.

[2]. Werdell, P. (2011). Is it Possible to Recover from Food Addiction? Food Addiction Institute. 

[3]. Mayo Clinic. (2016). Binge Eating Disorder.

[4]. Zolfagharifard, E. (2015). Cheese really is like crack: Study reveals cheese triggers the same part of the brain as drugs. DailyMail UK.

[5]. Food Addiction Institute (2016). Assess, Treat and Refer: On Assessment, Treatment and Referrals.