Here is a Question

[beautifulone284]

Hi

I am new to this forum, I am a recovering addict with a little over 3 months clean. Lately everyone from my therapist to my boyfriend claim that I have some kind of eating disorder. I don't think so, so I thought I would ask the experts.

Anyway, when I was actively using, and when I got depressed I would eat all the time. Now that I got clean, I barely eat. I don't eat breakfast, sometimes I eat lunch, and I don't eat dinner if I ate lunch, or I might just snack. When I do eat a meal whether it is lunch or dinner, I can never finish it. I have lost a considerable amount of weight since getting sober. My boyfriend says I eat like a rabbit. I nibble here and there and then throw it away or give it to the dog.

What do you all think? Do you think this is a problem?

Patiently awaiting response
beautifulone

[Paulie]

Hi -

I am no expert but I would suggest that you talk to your dr. Our bodies change in lots of ways when we get clean. I know mine went through a few different things. But if you feel okay, than I dont' know if there is a problem. But I would talk to a dr and see what they say.

[curiousgirl9698]

Talk with your Doctor, your body is going through lots of changes and it's better to be safe than sorry! Also, I had anorexia in my mid teens. From what I learned, people with ED's (eating disorders) usually obsess over food, whether it is the avoidance, the restriction, or the excessiveness of it. It is not uncommon for a person with one addiction to go to another, I have done it more than once. Some things you may want to look at are: 1. when you eat, are you nervous about what you eat? 2. are you purposely throwing away the food, even though you are still hungry? 3. do you have "fear" foods? These are just some of the telltale signs of the beginning of an ED.

I hope my quick response helps a little. If you need more detail, I'll be more than happy to help!

[Pony]

Welcome Beautifulone,

Well, first off I am no expert, but I have had some experience and done some research on "Eating Disorders".

I think the best advice anyone could give you is to check with your doctor. Problems with food usually have more to do with mental and emotional issues in which we use food (as a drug) to pacify or comfort us, in which we don't deal with the unlining issue that we are trying to avoid. These food issues can become a major physical problem when you either overeat and become overweight, or undereat and deprive your body of it's much needed nutrients to be healthy. Either way is not healthy.

Maybe if you can determine why it is you don't want to eat or finish the meal you had at the time. LIke Curious said it just depends on if you have "fear" attached to your reasons for not eating. And others have said that our bodies do go through changes when you start to live a clean life. Also it is not uncommon for an addict to trade one addiction for another.

Lets us know how you are doing