Hi there @slarson14,

Wow, I am in awe of the self discipline you have developed in the face of your eating disorder. As a recovering alcoholic, well I had it easier - just stop drinking and get help, and don't start drinking again. OK it wasn't an easy process, but at least I knew total abstinence was required. Can't say that about food.

It's a shame that you can't treat food as pleasurable AND necessary. But you have an addict personality, and as I mentioned, we with this condition can get addicted to anything, and we do.

(Near the bitter end of my drinking, alcohol had ceased being pleasurable. With one exception. I loved the taste of Bombay Sapphire gin martinis. I still miss it. But to paraphrase you, the things we don't need must be put behind us. Even so, every time I step in a restaurant with a bar, my eyes go instantly to the pale blue bottle of Bombay Sapphire among the hundreds of bottles on the wall. I miss it for sure, but not as much as I would miss my sobriety.)

Very few overeaters even realize they have a problem, just like many alcoholics and drug addicts. So you and I are lucky to have recognized and stopped our disease in its tracks, sought out help, and then worked very hard, and continue to work very hard, to stay sober and healthy. And while "sobriety" is a word usually associated with alcohol or drugs, it applies to your situation as well.

So congratulations on your sobriety! I believe that what you have done is much harder than quitting drinking. We need to eat. We don't need to drink alcohol.

For what it's worth - I'm very proud of you and find your story inspiring to me and my road of sobriety. WELL DONE!

Are you a part of any recovery groups? Or rather, is there a way for you to share your story with another overeater? I sponsor three other men, and it helps me and them equally. And of course participating in these Mayo Forums is a way to help others. Good for you!

All the best to you, friend!

Joe