Thanks to the ACE Study, we know a high ACE score is connected to a higher likelihood of “substance-related disorders.” However, sometimes it’s overlooked that food can be that substance of choice, too—not just drugs or alcohol.
As a clinical psychologist. I’ve seen this repeatedly in my decades of work with private patients and in clinical settings alongside Dr. Felitti, the Co-Principal Investigator of the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.
Behaviors associated with food addiction include:
- Compulsive overeating, even in the absence of hunger
- Cravings for high fat and sugary foods
- Difficulty in controlling food intake
- Binge eating and disordered eating patterns
Food addiction frequently flies under the radar since it’s perfectly legal and, from the outside, may just look like a willpower or self-control issue that can be easily remedied with diet and exercise alone. The thing is, the internal trauma from ACEs—the toxic stress—is what’s weighing heavily from the inside out and causing the addiction in the first place. In this case, food is simply the coping solution being used as a temporary pressure relief valve and the weight is a symptom.
People who suffer from food addiction often experience weight gain because of their unhealthy eating behaviors. And when they attempt to lose weight with diet and exercise programs, they always fall short because the programs aren’t designed to actually heal the heart of the issue.
To lose weight sustainably and healthily, the trauma beneath the food addiction must be addressed and resolved at a root level alongside the creation of new, healthy habits. Otherwise, losing weight will always feel torturous and out of reach, and even if weight is lost initially, it’ll always come back again because the need to cope is still there.
By resolving the underlying trauma, the ACEs, the need to cope with food disappears. Then, weight loss happens naturally.
Dr. Felitti (left), Dr. Ray (right)
Dr. Felitti and I teamed up with Relish Life to offer a comprehensive weight loss program that integrates the science of ACEs, and it’s an ideal solution for overeaters with a high ACE score. The Relish Life program offers a root-cause approach to weight loss that combines the best of psychology, behavioral health, holistic wellness, fitness, nutrition, medication, and technology to help people lose weight and, more importantly, keep it off while healing their relationship with food.
Dr. Felitti is an advisor for Relish Life and I’m the Chief Behavioral Officer. Dr. Al Ray, who worked intimately with the ACE Study for over two decades at Kaiser Permanente, is Relish Life’s Chief Medical Officer.
The world needs Relish Life now more than ever.
Relish Life solves the root neurological and physiological issues that cause overeating using a personalized and comprehensive approach. The medications prescribed helps regulate the impulse control and craving parts of the brain so physiological can occur alongside psychological healing. The program includes:
- Personal Physician: Monitoring your health and progress with regular calls, check-ins, and unlimited text/email support
- Personalized Medication Plan: FDA-approved, stimulant-free, scientifically proven, and delivered right to your doorstep
- Designated Health Coach: An initial strategy session and ongoing support and accountability via live check-ins, and text/email
- Expert Psychological Support: Weekly small support group counseling sessions with experts to uncover your ACEs and heal your relationship with food
- Daily Inspiration, Meditations, Tips, and Tools: Elisa, a friendly chatbot and pocket cheerleader, helps keep you motivated and on track every step of the way
- Members-Only Educational Portal: A library of mindfulness, hypnotherapy, fitness, and nutrition programs (with live guidance) for lasting change
- Private Community: Gain access to our private Facebook group to connect with others and leverage the power of community on your path to health and happiness
- A Mobile App: For even more access to the treatment team and resources (coming soon!)
If you suffer from food addiction or know someone who does, I know Relish Life will help, guaranteed. Click here and be sure to use code “PACES25” for a special discount at checkout.
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