Christmas used to be a time of consumption for me: shopping, booze, and sugar.
I can’t really avoid the shopping! I have every intent of avoiding the booze. And the sugar question is really, really hard for me.
Anyone else out there also battling a sugar addiction?
I’m recognizing that I use sugar in all the exact same ways I used to use booze. I turn to it when I’m bored, when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I’m anxious. I know the generally-accepted wisdom is to relax on the sugar issue while you’re in early sober days.
The thing is, the way I use it elicits all the same emotions afterward as booze used to. I feel ashamed. There’s endless self-recrimination for my inability to just stop. I binge and then I’m mad. Superficially, I know it wreaks havoc on my hormones which, among other things leads to pimply skin and belly bloat.
So on the one hand, I don’t want to overload myself with quitting two addictive substances at once. On the other hand, I don’t want to feel shitty and bound to a substance for any longer than I have to.
I welcome your insights! Thoughts on battling co-addictions that the world at large doesn’t view as actually that bad?
100 Days to Sparkle 
I’ve never ate chocolate more than when I stopped drinking. There definetly is a correlation as alcohol has a ton of sugar.
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Did it slow down for you? Have you reached any homestasis?
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It ebs and flows. Yesterday was stressful, so I had a bowl of ice cream not the best but better than drinking wine.
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You can read back on my blog about my food issues. It is very complicated and actually had nothing to do with food, or alcohol for that matter.
It had to do with self worth and compassion and anxiety management and recognizing I am worthy, as I am.
I do think alcohol must come first, as it is addictive and it clouds the thinking. I don’t think the rest can be unravelled until the mind is clear.
Geneen Roth has a book call women food and god that spoke to me.
Over my 7 years of sobriety I have had good and periods with food. It’s ok. I have learned more about my behaviour and that’s how I get through. As long as I am sober the rest is the journey.
Hugs and love
Anne
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I just put that book in my Amazon cart!
And yes, I will not compromise my sobriety for the sake of avoiding sugar. I think I’m just recognizing that the behaviors and resulting emotions around sugar are the EXACT same as with booze, so it’s still triggering. I hate it.
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Omg I hear you. My binging got out of control when I first gave up xxx
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And how is it now??
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I got counselling as it felt so out of control. I’m doing loads better as long as I have 3 meals and 2 snacks and an evening meal plan. Have a way to go tho ♡♡
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Hey. It’s a really common finding and it becomes more apparent when you give up the alcohol. I had no idea how addicted I was to sugar until I gave up drinking. I also didn’t realise how it was affecting me physically and mentally because I was always in a fog due to the booze. I did however allow myself 6 months of doing what I wanted with regards to food and then started to make some changes. I still have the hinge issue now … I’ve just gone through a half pack of biscuits without any awareness because I feel a bit crappy tonight. However not drinking has allowed me to play around with my sugar intake and I’m learning how much is too much. I’ve weaned myself off milk chocolate and onto dark. I still eat far too much but it’s an improvement. I avoid low fat foods that have increased sugar and my high sugar carb intake is significantly lower than it was. If I feel bloated and having pains in my arms, wrists and hands .. it’s too much sugar and so I cut down the next day. The one thing I will say, it is addictive but it doesn’t alter your thought processes like alcohol. It doesn’t trick your mind and it’s important to remember that. Sobriety comes first … always. The other stuff can be dealt with when you are stronger in your sobriety. That’s my view anyway. For what it’s worth xxx
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I like this Claire. It’s a good reminder that it’s not a mind-alterer the same way (although I’m still really uncomfortable knowing I’m using sugar to feel better when there are more healthy ways to feel better!).
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Yep I know and I do the same but I think you’ll get it under control. Awareness is the first step. I am going through a sugar fad right now and I know I need to get it sorted x
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Sometimes it’s painful to be aware of how many things in my life need “fixing”… 😦
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Omg … I know. Somedays I feel like I’m just one big mess that never does anything right! BUT sober first. When things collapse and life really goes belly up, sober first. That way you don’t spiral. You dip, fall over but get up far more quickly with tons more resilience and self esteem. The opposite happens when you booze. Sober first! ❤️
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