A: Yes and no, Marci. Depends on who’s defining “addiction.” Often when people say “addiction” they are implicitly including the physical changes that occur in the brain when a substance is used over time. These include physicals cravings, physical dependence and tolerance. Physical dependence means you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit using the substance. Tolerance means over time it takes increasing amounts of the substance to produce the same effect. None of these physical effects have been proven to apply when it comes to food.
On the other hand, there’s plenty of overlap between the use of food and the use of drugs or alcohol when it comes to addiction as psychological dependence. In each instance a person is relying on a substance to manage distressing emotions and experiences. The substance becomes paired in the brain with the relief that goes with avoiding painful feelings. It therefore becomes highly valued and sought after, and the “addicted” person will feel great anxiety if blocked from using it. Feeling out of control, being preoccupied with the addictive substance, and continued over–use despite the personal suffering it causes are other ways compulsive overeating or bingeing can feel similar to drug or alcohol addiction .
