Here are three bits of articles lifted off the net - they are referenced. Enjoy :)

Addiction Recovery
by: Mary F. Zesiewicz, MD

Addictions are pervasive in our culture. Addictive habits are forms of dependence. They are habits- performed time after time- done so often, they are performed in involuntary or compulsive fashion.

Ask any addict how hard it is to break a habit. One reason these habits are so hard to break is the physiological basis for addiction. Diana Schwarzbein, MD, does a stellar job in articulating these physiological mechanisms in “The Schwarzbein Principle”.(Diana Schwarzbein, MD, Nancy Deville, Health Communications, Deerfield Beach, FL,1999)

Addictions and brain chemicals

Many substances that people are prone to become dependent on tend to lower serotonin levels in the brain. Examples include high glycemic carbohydrates, alcohol, and street drugs, such as methamphetamines and cocaine; even stimulants like caffeine results in lowered serotonin in the brain. Lowered serotonin, as we know, leads to depression and the tendency to increase craving.

Why reach repeatedly for the addictive problem?

Typically we seek what is easy and what is available to us. If alcohol isn’t available, we will reach for chocolate. Or, we will resume smoking, if we quit years ago.

Then what happens?

All these compulsive habits do initially cause a rush of serotonin. The initial rush of serotonin is followed by a serotonin depletion that we know as depression. Addicts are no longer able to naturally support the rush of serotonin and the subsequent serotonin drop. It is at this point, addicts really “crash”-they hit “rock bottom” and often face hopelessness and despondency.

Addictive personalities?

So no matter what the addiction, if we do not get off that physiological roller coaster, we will simply substitute one addiction for another.

And how do we get off this roller coaster?

A proactive total commitment to health and recovery is the only way.

Use all aspects to recover

Physiologically,...
...the need to infuse the body with a balanced set of nutrients is essential.

Balance in intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is essential. However, the carbohydrates need to be “good” carbs- the ones found in starchy vegetables like peas, corn, leeks, lima beans, turnips and the like; legumes such as beans and grains in their natural state, yogurt and most fruits. Breads should be eaten sparingly, and crackers, which contain hydrogenated fats, are best avoided altogether.

Fast foods are best avoided altogether. So are gravies and ketchup. So are processed snack foods like chips and pizza. Sugar pastries and desserts are out as well.

The more foods we can eat in the natural state the better. That means fresh, organic produce. Also, our meats need to be lean and be free of injected chemicals as well. If you notice, a lot more of our larger chains are carrying organic selections. Clearly people are becoming more knowledgeable about their grocery selections.

mental and emotional health as part of recovery...
Transforming our negative belief systems into positive ones can go along way in promoting recovery from seemingly insurmountable addictions. This includes overcoming insecurities, fear of rejection, anger, rage, bitterness, guilt, shame, and a root of unforgiveness.

Even if we have been treated unfairly, overcoming these feelings will release a process of healing and restoration that will actually help us reduce our risk of relapse into addictive behaviors. These issues are like layers that need to be brought to the surface and resolved, for life to be lived to the fullest. And it is the only pathway out of addiction for good. We cannot live life to the fullest harboring these feelings.

Spiritually...
And a deepening sense of spirituality is vital towards recovery. A belief that there is a Power greater than ourselves who we can depend on when things get rough. It’s really the only type of dependency that frees us up to live life to the fullest. And it takes openness, time and commitment to deepen our spiritual connection and beliefs.

Addiction recovery is achieveable

Addiction is a complex, and gripping state of imbalance that overtakes a person’s body, mind and spirit. Clearly recovery is a complex and lifelong process, but so worthwhile. And it is achievable.

The more we understand the complex physiological processes taking place that reinforce addiction, the more we can invest in better self care, and heal. Our lives depend on it.

Some more stats

Early binge eating field trials suggest that as many as 30% of people who participate in weight control programs actually have binge eating disorder (BED). This same study suggests that binge eating disorder affects 3% of female college students and 5% of obese people in the general community (*Spitzer et al.1992.1993).

Other studies suggest that binge eating disorder is associated with a much broader demographic distribution than is the case with Bulimia Nervosa, in terms of gender, race and age.

Treatment Goals of addiction recovery:

Primary goals of treatment are to:

- Reconnect with the body and with feelings
- Identify cognitive distortions
- Recognize perfectionism and "all or nothing" thinking
- Identify physical vs. emotional hunger
- Increase capacity to tolerate feeling states
- Learn how to communicate needs and set boundaries
- Improve body image
- Learn self-care
- Recognize recovery as a "process" filled with ups and downs

As treatment continues, clients at Acoria are encouraged to use other services, such as psycho-educational programming, support groups, consultations with a dietitian, a physical conditioning specialist and/or a psychiatrist, and telephone coaching services. A dietitian works with the client to help normalize eating behaviors and patterns, while a physical conditioning specialist works with the client on exercise resistance and body movement issues.

Am i getting better now?

Change starts to occur when clients begin to understand that their original maladaptive coping strategy of using food is no longer working.

Once clients understand the process, they may choose to manage mood differently, through the learning and application of healthier coping strategies. The clients who do well are those who come to see change as a choice, a choice for which only they can take responsibility.

taken from this clinics webiste http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/BingeInterview.html The Acoria Eating Disorders Treatment Center is located in Cincinnati, OH.

More:

The Causes of Food Addiction

All of these people exhibit one or more of the three major reasons that drive or fuel food addiction. The first reason people struggle with food addiction is because they are afraid of their feelings and they use food to cope with negative emotions. The second reason people are addicted to food is because they feel the need to reward themselves with food when they are frustrated or unfulfilled. The last reason is that people use food to assert their independence, to feel safe or to fill an emotional emptiness.

Food Addiction and Emotional Eating

All three of these are psychological motives and reflect deep primal needs that can drive us to drugs, alcohol or food. We end up addicted to food to satisfy these deep psychological needs rather than biological needs (real hunger). That is what I call Emotional Eating.

And if you are addicted to food, you engage in Emotional Eating.
And like most addictions, it is virtually impossible to beat the emotional forces behind the addiction on your own. Understanding these emotions and their interaction is the essence of the solution of breaking free from your addiction to food once and for all. Don't worry if you are not totally sure about this. I am.

The Three Causes of Binges...

Francine and Roxy both exhibited the first of the three major reasons you binge:
You binge to cope with your feelings.
You binge to create the illusion of feeling good.
You binge to assert your "independence" or to "be safe".

All three of these are psychological motives for binging. You binge to satisfy psychological needs rather than biological needs(real hunger).

This was taken from a pay site http://www.masteringfood.com/welcome.asp?bhcp=1
Book I might get - Passages Through Recovery: An Action Plan for Preventing Relapse. Terence T. Gorski