You're absolutely not hopeless, Bam. Some people wind up being on blood pressure medicine for the rest of their lives. Others don't. If you can manage your problems through diet and exercise it's highly likely that you can come off the meds at that point. If you wind up having to take the pills for a long time, then so be it.
You're right that you need food to live, and you're also right that it doesn't have to be junk food. Actually, junk food can be just as harmful to your body as alcohol! Have you ever seen the movie Super Size Me? After only 30 days of eating nothing but McDonald's food, the doc told Morgan Spurlock that he had a fatty liver equivalent to what he is used to seeing in alcoholics after years and years of drinking.
I actually think Super Size Me should be required viewing for everyone over about age 8. Interesting reads are
Fast Food Nation and
Chew on This, too.
It's difficult to change eating habits, I know that. But it CAN be done.
