[thickntired]

Hi,

I've been off pot and alcohol for 9 months, and I quit cigarettes in July of 2012. But now I'm a freaking fiend when it comes to sugar and processed carbs. I eat ridiculous amounts of candy, ice cream, cookies, white bread etc. I know that in early sobriety ppl often eat sugar to ease cravings and ease blood sugar problems that were previously treated with the sugar in alcohol.

Has anyone else substituted drugs & drink with an excessive amount of sugar?? I've gained weight and am afraid of getting pre-diabetes. I swear every morning I say I'm not going to indulge and before 10 am I've sucked down something sugary. I've started exercising and making fruit smoothies to try to only consume frutose, but it always seems to end with a cupcake. I thought when I got off the pot I'd get off the munchies but it only seems to be worse

TnT

[arachnophobia.kid]

I gave up drinking for about 5 months and I had the same problem. I would buy ridiculous amounts of candy, it started as a way of rewarding myself for not drinking but it turned into it's own problem in time. I never found a good solution for it but I found the that the days where I would eat full healthy meals and get exercise were also the ones I didn't want any sugar.

Sorry... I'm not much help.

TnT,

Sugar actually IS my addiction, I have never been into drugs or alcohol. But I seriously cannot get enough of sugary candy. I might be somewhat lucky in that I don't go for things with much fat in them...just SUGAR. I have found once I don't have it for a few days I seem to want it less (but then I do want it all over again, although I don't eat more when I am stressed, so I am not sure what my trigger is). I have been drinking juice and that seems to help, as of course it still has sugar in it, and plenty of it, but it's much healthier for me. Anyway, I am sorry I don't have a solution (I so wish I did!) but I wanted to let you know you are not alone.

[jadzea]

People with an addiction to alcohol often turn to sugar (and coffee) when they quit drinking. Why do you think there are so many donuts at AA meetings?

All you can do is try to avoid sugary foods. Artificial sweeteners don't help either.

[gma45]

You are diffidently not alone with this one. I am not much help either because I have been having the same problem. I hope someone sees this tread that has some answers because I would sure like to know why this is and how it can be helped.

[RamblinClementine]

OMG I have that problem too! Especially now that it's around the holidays. I'm like, oh ya not today, but then I find myself next to a table of cookies and pies. Whoops

[avlady]

When i was a little kid i only ate candy, would hide my mothers food in the garbage, but now i rarely eat sugar. i was a candy addict, would walk miles to get to the candy store where you could buy candy pieces for 1 cent a piece, i became addicted, and traveled there whenever i got the chance. today i rarely eat sugary stuff, don't know why, but i guess i've licked the habit for years now. I like salads and other health foods , take vitamins, i think the vitamins helped alot.

[broncosfan]

I was a drug addict for over 20 years. When I finally quit I too went to sweets. Ice Cream and chocolate were my weaknesses. I gained 100 pounds. I was pre diabetic and slowly killing my self. First, I went to sugar free candy and sugar free drinks. Then I started to exercise a little each day increasing my water intake. That helped a lot. Then I went to apples, oranges and bananas for my sugar fixes. Getting off of sugar free candy was easier then the sugared stuff. I've lost 58 pounds and only have a treat every few weeks. I feel much better now. It was a lot of work, but worth it.

[FaithFactor]

First off, thickntired, I must congratulate you on your success in quitting cigarettes, pot, and alcohol. That's a very significant accomplishment, indeed.

It's not uncommon for someone to substitute one addiction for another addiction, especially in the process of "giving up" something that we once enjoyed. You're not alone in that respect, not at all.

You quit smoking, and that requires a great deal of strength, discipline and determination. You've given up pot and alcohol, and that also takes a great deal of strength, discipline and determination. It would appear to me that you have the tools to make a permanent change.

I don't know the motivation behind quitting smoking, pot and alcohol, but I am assuming that portion of that motivation has to be for the sake of your health and well-being... which is an excellent reason.

Exercising and going with fruit-smoothies indicates that you're looking for ways to change a pattern of behavior (because you've already identified a habit that you wish to change)... and even baby steps in the right direction means that you're heading in the right direction.

So don't despair. Keep on moving forward, don't let setbacks bring your spirit down. Use the same type of motivation and tools that you used to quit the cigarettes, pot and alcohol to help you make the next step down a path that will lead to a happier, healthier you.

I used to be very addicted to sugar, i ate candy all day and always wanted more. Cookies, fudge, gummis, anything!
I started eating protein- lots of it- and that seemed to help. The more protein i eat, the less sugar i want. Maybe that might help you too?

[thickntired]

Thank you all for your feedback. Faithfactor you are too kind♥♥♥ I saw an interview with Eric Clapton and he said his first addiction was sugar. I always thought that was interesting. I used to eat my Halloween candy in a day lol.

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[herky63]

Originally Posted by thickntired

Hi,

I've been off pot and alcohol for 9 months, and I quit cigarettes in July of 2012. But now I'm a freaking fiend when it comes to sugar and processed carbs. I eat ridiculous amounts of candy, ice cream, cookies, white bread etc. I know that in early sobriety ppl often eat sugar to ease cravings and ease blood sugar problems that were previously treated with the sugar in alcohol.

Has anyone else substituted drugs & drink with an excessive amount of sugar?? I've gained weight and am afraid of getting pre-diabetes. I swear every morning I say I'm not going to indulge and before 10 am I've sucked down something sugary. I've started exercising and making fruit smoothies to try to only consume frutose, but it always seems to end with a cupcake. I thought when I got off the pot I'd get off the munchies but it only seems to be worse

TnT

For me, sugar is as much a "drug" as anything else I might become addicted to. What helped me the most was treating the addiction like any other. I attended Overeaters Anonymous meetings, identified my trigger foods so I could avoid them, and got support from family and others who could help me stay focused. The problem with food addictions is that we can't completely cut out all food, so it often feels like we are on a slippery slope. For me that just reinforces the need to keep going to OA and to have supportive people around me. Good luck. You can do this!

[Celebrate8]

My best advice is to quit sugar cold turkey. Treat it the same way you did your other addictions. It is the only thing that has worked for me. If someone says, "Would you like a drink?" You say. "No." So when someone says, "Would you like a cookie?" You also say, "No." Same, same, apples to apples. Addiction is addiction is addiction. Good luck! I know you can do it!

[steelfang]

I have done this too. Don't forget that sugar gives us a rush too. 5 year old hyperactive kids are proof!