To say there is such a thing as a sugar addiction?

[Crimblecrumble1990]

I am braving AIBU for the first time...

For nearly 20 years I have what I would call a sugar addiction. In particular, chocolate. It's normally the first thing I think about when I wake up to the last thing at night. I will go out of my way to get it, hide it, eat it. Suggest entire meals out when I don't even want to see people just because they have a good dessert menu.

I am beyond miserable. It is wrecking my life and my health. I have always gotten away with being a bit chubby but I've now tipped into fat, high blood pressure etc. I've detested the way I look since I was pre teen. The one thing that could have changed it easily would be me stopping eating chocolate, why on earth haven't I done it??

It's a running joke in my friends and family that I eat so much of it - endless themed bday presents and I want to cry with shame every time I receive one. I've tried hypnotism and CBT as well as trying to not eat the stuff. I literally don't know what's wrong with me. I eat when I'm happy, sad, stressed, whenever. I adore the taste of it.

This sounds like a joke writing it all down but sadly this has been my life for nearly 2 decades. I made my son very poorly by consuming so much sugar while I was pregnant with him yet the utter horror of that has still not stopped me. I live with a smoker who loves me but cannot compare my 'addiction' with a 'proper' addiction like cigarettes, drugs, alcohol etc.

I guess I am wondering if I am alone??? Is there anyone else who feels the same way? Or if there are people who think this is not an addiction then please I would like to hear your thoughts also.

YABU - no such thing as sugar addiction
YANBU - yes there is such a thing as sugar addiction

Sorry for the long read.

I do think it's physically addictive though especially if you have insulin resistance.

Crimble - I was so shocked at my increasing weight I stopped eating sugar literally overnight., and bought sugar free chewing gum instead. It worked for me.

Great thread OP you are not alone.

Insulin resistance doesn't make you physically crave sugar. It's definitely a very harmful physical symptom of a sugar addiction.

If we're nit picking, then a physical addiction is one which causes unpleasant physical effects if the "drug or substance" is stopped suddenly.

I'm not minimising psychological addictions. Cocaine isn't physically addictive and is still highly addictive. A psychological addiction is incredibly hard to beat.

Sugar addiction is real but my opinion is that its more a craving at a set time, like after a meal or of an evening and can be broken quite easily if you caj get through the first week.

Im not trying to be mean or play doctor but the amount of time you are thinking about it sounds more of a disorder and i think you should speak to a doctor x

I did the Fast800 diet over the summer, no sugar or carbs for 12 weeks. During the first 2 weeks I had headaches, weakness in my limbs, shakeyness, it was a proper addiction withdrawal.
Lost 3 stone and totally in control of what I eat now so it was worth it, but yes, sugar addiction is very real.

Listen to 'A thorough examination'podcast by Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken. Quite emotional in parts. also Why we eat too much. The food industry spends millions trying to tap into our dopamine receptors, trying to get us to eat more and more cheap, sugary junk. I think sugar is a psychological adiction, and needs to be treated as such, so cold turkey until you break the habit. Dont tell people that you think you are addicted to sugar. Why do they need to know? Do they buy you bars of chocolate? Its nobodys business what you are eating or not. Sometimes if you tell people you are not going to eat something, they somehow see it as a personal affront or challenge and try to get you to fall off the wagon. Also, try cutting your carbs down to under 100g a day.

You have to go cold turkey - when I cut out all sweet things, I feel rubbish and crave them, but after 3 or 4 days, I stop thinking about it. I'm fine as long as I eat none - but only one thing and I'm on a slippery slope. I'm the same with Pepsi Max - I assume due to the caffeine. Sugar addiction definately exists

It’s absolutely an addiction, one I’ve suffered with since my teens. I’m now verging on developing diabetes and it still hasn’t stopped me eating chocolate like it’s going out of fashion. I wish I could change but I’ve tried everything I can

This sounds extreme but I could see how I could get there too, the urge is overwhelming sometimes. Do you do any sports or hobbies? Not wanting to sound patronising, just thinking if the chocolate prevented you from doing something you love it might be a motivator, like smokers giving up to conceive