Hi, I'm new to this forum but I've been eating LC (with more or less adherence) for three years now. I'm willing to bet most of you can relate to my problem.

As far as I'm concerned, the real "gateway drug" is carbohydrate, and specifically sugar. It was the first substance I ever used to dampen the negative feelings (sadness, anxiety, self-loathing) and to flood my body with good feelings. In fact, I have a hunch that my little fetal pancreas was primed for this before I was even born.

Ever since then I have been using various substances to manipulate my emotions and keep myself feeling "normal." Over the last three years I have been working on removing these substances (and accompanying behaviors) from my life, and it has been both extremely painful and rewarding.

I recently started therapy and that has been helpful, but I've been having a rough two weeks. That's about how long I've been "clean" from all my addictive behaviors (the ones I'm aware of anyway). I think each day is getting a little bit easier, and this forum has helped me immensely. My hope is that by admitting this I'll be able to keep myself accountable and avoid temptation.

Anyone else in the same boat? (Dumb question, I know )

Leeny,
I have plenty of addictive behaviors Changing those behaviors is HARD! but worth it. Hang in there.

I realized during a 24 hr fast last month that I am addicted to food and have been for a while. If you ever want to talk pm me. I'll listen.

All the best to you Leeny, and welcome! Plenty of good company here!

Caroxx

I am so totally in the same boat as you are. This has been the summer from hell for me (and hey, it followed the winter from hell, so I've been in hell for awhile now) and yes, my drug of choice is carbs. I sincerely believe that for a lot of us carb addiction is every bit as real and as dangerous as hard drug addiction. I've been manipulating my emotions with carbs for a long time, and had a brief fling with alcohol (thank goodness that doesn't really tempt me...for my alcoholic friends reading this, you have my compassion and support) and had an even briefer fling with OTC drugs (also thank goodness that didn't help either.) A sugar hit sure does perk up my mood though...but just like the alcohol/OTC/hard drugs the feeling doesn't last.

I have no answers, but I know my mood isn't improved by being fat, and ultimately that is the only thing the carbs will give me. I feel for what you are going through.

I find it helps to remember this simple phrase: The more you cave, the more you'll crave.

Congrats, BTW!