SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post

evmdimples · 07-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Has anyone noticed the relationship between diet/drop in blood sugar and the onset of the urge/craving for... whatever your DOC is?

When I don't eat right and my blood sugar drops (no protein, too many carbs even the "good" stuff), my mind can get fuzzy (sugar/carb drunk?) anxiety escalates, can get palpitations, I get highly emotional and I immediately want to reach out for my DOC. Secondly comes the desire to drink.

This happened to me today. Really bad episode. I didn't include protein in my meal last night or in this morning's breakfast, and by the time I got to my volunteer job, I could barely keep my focus. I knew enough to go and get myself some protein (eggs) but I was already too far gone (I'm borderline hypoglycemic) and it took me a few hours to get back into balance. When I left the office, I wanted to: 1) cry, 2) call "her" (my DOC, I do CoDA), 3) buy wine. I didn't do any of these things. But it's a good reminder that careful monitoring of my diet--a well balanced diet--is a vital part of my recovery process. I am surprised the literature doesn't talk about this important aspect other than to mention HALT. I just remembered, last night my body was already telling me something... I went out late at night to buy myself some candy, something I RARELY eat! Gotta listen more closely, maybe next time I feel the strong candy craving, eat protein.

Anyone else experience similar stuff?

07-10-2009, 12:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
evmdimples Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: FL Posts: 194	low blood sugar and the urge to... DOC Has anyone noticed the relationship between diet/drop in blood sugar and the onset of the urge/craving for... whatever your DOC is? When I don't eat right and my blood sugar drops (no protein, too many carbs even the "good" stuff), my mind can get fuzzy (sugar/carb drunk?) anxiety escalates, can get palpitations, I get highly emotional and I immediately want to reach out for my DOC. Secondly comes the desire to drink. This happened to me today. Really bad episode. I didn't include protein in my meal last night or in this morning's breakfast, and by the time I got to my volunteer job, I could barely keep my focus. I knew enough to go and get myself some protein (eggs) but I was already too far gone (I'm borderline hypoglycemic) and it took me a few hours to get back into balance. When I left the office, I wanted to: 1) cry, 2) call "her" (my DOC, I do CoDA), 3) buy wine. I didn't do any of these things. But it's a good reminder that careful monitoring of my diet--a well balanced diet--is a vital part of my recovery process. I am surprised the literature doesn't talk about this important aspect other than to mention HALT. I just remembered, last night my body was already telling me something... I went out late at night to buy myself some candy, something I RARELY eat! Gotta listen more closely, maybe next time I feel the strong candy craving, eat protein. Anyone else experience similar stuff? __________________ To err is human, to forgive divine.