After my other post and seeing several other posts lately, do you think that obese are more prone to addictions, or am I being to general? I know alot of us are/were addicted to food, but with that food addiction did you find yourself easily addicted to other things?

I know myself if its addictive and comes my way I usually end up addicted. Although I must say I never did drugs and the reason why was that I knew it would only take once for me to want the feeling again so I steered clear and never tried it, same with alcohol...Wonder why I couldnt do that with food Just steer clear of it hehe.

I had my fair share of being a little addicted to the pokies, Phen fen, smoking, food (generalised), chocolate and many other things.

What was/is your addiction/s.

Hey Donali,

Pokies are poker machines. I went through a stage loving them big time...another thing that almost destroyed me.

I am a smoker. And I was, at one time, either obessed or addicted to an online role playing game. But I don't think I was ever addicted to food.

I don't drink often. Both of my grandfather's were alcoholics, and around age 25 it hit me that I could be, too, if I didn't watch myself. So two or three times a year now, I may have a couple drinks, but that's it.

To me the obsession and addiction is not actively thought. It just happens subconsiously for both of them and I wouldn't think any obsession or addiction would make me happy, yes, it makes me happy when I eat bad things, but just as soon as I'm done the realization of what I did hits me and the obsessive and addictive thoughts happen again. To me they go hand in hand I guess, and you can't have one without the other to some extremes. Any thoughts??

Hmmmm... What IS the difference between habit, compulsion, fixation, passion, obsession, addiction??

ad·dic·tion Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance: a drug used in the treatment of heroin addiction; The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something

ob·ses·sion Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.

A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion

Hmmm - dictionary info very unhelpful... lol

Some links I found researching this (I haven't read them yet):

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050903/bob10.asp

http://www.presmark.com/htmlfile/habitvs.htm

http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/fo0102/01020060.htm

http://nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/Spotlight_Schneider.asp

http://www.vicesmagazine.com/darling.htm

More thoughts?!?! :confused:

Thanks Donali, the differences are slight, but to me the same thing in effect.

My name is Lisa, and I am an addict. food, booze, drugs, caffeine, gambling, spending. I don't do all those things every day, but I can't do anything in moderation. I can't take a pain pill, I need to take them for a week with tons of coffee to spin me out so I can clean my house. I can't just buy one shirt if they have 9 colors. I can't eat a small popcorn. Hell, I can't even rent 2 movies (must get 10 all at once.) I don't drink often because once I start there's no stopping me.

It's all or nothing with me.

The excuse I always use Lisa: If you're gonna do it, do it right!

I have always thought that I was addicted to food. It was a choice in a way. I have many family members who are drug/alcohol addicts and I never wanted to be that. I watched my father who is a food addict and realized that there were behaviors that were wrong, but I could never stop myself from eating and being over weight.

I used to smoke and when after quitting I would often think if only I did not have to eat. I can avoid the things that I know are bad for me, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. but I have to eat. I don't have to eat cake, but I can just as easily over eat healthy food.

I do not think that everyone is like this, but I would guess there are more of us then we know about. Food addiction is not talked about as much as other addictions if at all.