First of all I have to get rid of the mental image of sugar-deprived rats sitting around drinking martinis to compensate! It does make sense that a certain tolerance develops which requires more sugar to get the same 'buzz' you first got. The true definition of addiction and withdrawal may not apply however like it does in terms of heroin or tobacco- that would be a tough sell.

I am SO addicted to sugar. I ALWAYS want it. I swear, I will go to bed, and tell myself I will start my day with a high protein healthy breakfast, then I was up and just want to want to eat cookies and sugary stuff, and I usually do. All day long I dream about it, like at work I just can't say no to the cookies, I bring a yogurt and its CHOCOLATE flavor. I really want to stop- I'm not fat but its soo unhealthy! :(

I'm a life long sugar addict! I can't survive one day without having at least one sugar filled thing per day. I can't even substitute natural sugars for processed sugars. I can eat all the strawberries I want but I STILL have to have that twix bar. It's terribly unhealthy and I should stop but I've tried before and I can't

Can you be addicted to doughnuts?

I don't know if my addiction is physical or psychological. All I know is that once I eat something sugary it is very difficult for me to get back on track on my diet. It takes me about 2 weeks of staying away from sweets and excess sugar before I feel in control again. It is amazing how much sugar is in the processed foods we eat, so limiting sugar is difficult even when we are not grabbing those candy bars.

Hi, my name's Rita, and I am a sugar addict. It doesn't matter if it's psychological and started when I was a kid and saw that my mom baked cakes and ate candy bars when she was depressed about big bills and a bad marriage. It doesn't matter if it's physiological and started when HFCS became a major player in all foods available.

What matters is that I can't break away from it. I have trained my taste buds to accept substitutes. They really like agave necter because it tastes as close to sugar as you can get, and it doesn't impact blood sugar levels.

But this something I have to live with for the rest of my life, kind of like diabetes, but without any recognition of my problem.

So thanks for listening to me kvetch today. :D

I'm definitely addicted to sugar. I get cranky when I can't get some during the day. And it ends up getting me to binge eat... which really sucks. If I binged on veggies I don't think I would mind, but it's ALL sugary-substances.

ive been trying very hard to gain weight especially in one area.. and sugar was the only thing that allowed for rapid and consistent increases without falling off.  I truly believe in the concept of greater tolerance levels.  In the beginning i was lucky to gain  afew lbs per week now a pound a day is not crazy and the results are going where they need to.

Sugar is totally addicting. I have been a sugar fanatic since I was about 12. I am 31 now. If you are dieting and sugar is your trigger to binge then like any addiction to alcohol, or street drugs, you have to isolate it out of your life. You can change and train you taste buds for other things that are actually good for your body. I quit with the sugar gradually but then I saw it had control of me instead of me knowing when to say no. So I knew cold turkey was the best way to go. My best advice is to treat your sugar addiction serious as it can lead to cronic health issues. If you were given 1 car to drive for the entire duration of life.. how would you treat that car? It would get regular oil changes with the best oil. You would baby it, probably. Well we only get one body so we should treat it better than gold.

I too, am a sugar junkie.  It's like falling off the wagon.  I wish I could have just one piece of pie.  I cannot stop once I get started.

I am most addicted to sugary cereal in the mornings.  Anything frosted calls my name! I don't know why breakfast is the hardest meal for me to eat healthy.  What are good low cal breakfasts besides fruit??  Also filling.....I have no clue!

I have to agree with each of you. I either have it all the time or nothing at all. Once i start i feel like i can't quit either. I quit smoking 7 years ago, and i turned to candy and sweets for an alternative, now thats all i want. Barbadose616 I find that frosted mini wheats are filling for me and its high in fiber so you digest it faster. If you want a low cal fast fix, try fruit loops or fruity pebbles.

I beleive this because alcohol eventually changes into sugar so when I drink for a period of time I begin to look forward to a drink. When I refuse myself for a time. I begin to eat more sugar. So yes I do beleive sugar addiction and alcohol would run along the same lines.

mcosme25, Thank you for your comment.  It is so true that we have to respect and care for this vehicle that we inhabit for this lifetime.  it is so easy to forget that it has needs beyond our current cravings and psychological dependencies.

Sugar is one of my cravings, Carbs are my comfort food and I need alot of comfort these days.  Thanks to all who are here.  You may end up to be my new comfort addiction. :)

I am so addicted to sugar. It takes awhile to make the craving go away. I work in a place where free candy is often there as incentives and rewards for the staff for a job well done. So it is very hard to resist.
 Chocolate is worse than just any other thing with sugar in it. I find that if I even let myself have one piece of chocolate it sets off a whole binge of eating things high in sugar.

Chocolate is very hard to pass up when it's free :(

Sugar is the hardest thing to stay away from in my diet.  In fact, sugar is usually the undoing of my diet, what makes me fall off the 'diet wagon'.  So, for me, I believe sugar addiction definitely exists!

Poor Rats....

 

 

Poor Rats....

 

 

I too feel THAT NEED for sugar...everyday. I fight it and always lose. I feel that way about salt also. I find myself looking for a salty snack when I haven't had salt in a day or two. I feel it is just a BAD HABIT, nothing more. And I am just weak!

 

I am so addicted to sugar, the amount of sugar i eat affects my moods, the more i eat the more my moods swing.  The diet I am on has drastically reduced the amount of sugar I am eating and I feel calmer and more able to cope.  My cycle is due soon and I do feel much more relaxed than I have done for years its brilliant and such a big surprise. 

Its not easy to give up though I dream about mars bars a lot !!

 

 

 

My husband is addicted to sugar, and I have noticed that when he eats too much of it, he's grumpy, and mean.  He is prediabetic and his Dr. has told him to cut out all sugar.  He seems to go through withdrawal symptoms when he doesn't have something sweet.  Fruit isn't sweet for him.  He has to have cookies, pie, cakes and doughnuts.  I never buy them for home,  but he gets them himself away from home.

I can always tell when he's had sugar, his blood sugar goes up,  and that's what makes him grumpy.

According to all the comments, sugar is addictive to humans.  My question is, why  use rats if the results can't be used for humans.  Seems like a waste of time.  

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Today mostly people are suffering from the sugar addiction. This addiction is very much harmful addiction. Our new generation is now moving towards of this addiction. It is a situation of brain in which sugar addicted people can’t avoid sweet. <A Href=http://www.addiction-treatments.com/addiction/Sugar-Addictio n/index.html>Sugar addiction </A>is a psychological addiction where a person creates a dependency for sweets and in the run it will become addiction.

 

http://www.addiction-treatments.com/addiction/Sugar-Addictio n/index.html  

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Today mostly people are suffering from the sugar addiction. This addiction is very much harmful addiction. Our new generation is now moving towards of this addiction. It is a situation of brain in which sugar addicted people can’t avoid sweet. <A Href=http://www.addiction-treatments.com/addiction/Sugar-Addictio n/index.html>Sugar addiction </A>is a psychological addiction where a person creates a dependency for sweets and in the run it will become addiction.

 

http://www.addiction-treatments.com/addiction/Sugar-Addictio n/index.html  

I believe I was physically addicted to sugar.  I used to drink at least 2 cans of pop a day and eat mostly sugar for snacks, i.e. cookies, twizzlers, tootsie rolls.  I've starting counting my calories to eat healthier and get back in shape.  The fist two weeks of my diet, all I could think about was sugar and felt extremely tired especially early morning and just after lunch.  I don't drink coffee so sugar was always my pick me up.

Now after some time on eating the recommended amount of sugar per day, which is NOT a lot, I feel much better.  I no longer crave sugar, though snacks in generally are always appealing .  I don't have tired spells during the day and my energy level is much more consistent.  It wasn't easy, but now that I'm past that, its much easier in general to watch what I eat.

So goodluck to anyone else trying to break the cycle.  Its worth it!

Original Post by: debguarducci

According to all the comments, sugar is addictive to humans.  My question is, why  use rats if the results can't be used for humans.  Seems like a waste of time.  

Its because that's where pretty much all studies begin.  You have to prove certain results on "less human" animals such as rats before you can progress through the animals closer to human genes.  Also, rats are inexpensive to run initial test on.

Generally results from rats are similar in results in human trials, but it greatly varies in the ratio of stimulant to result.

I have been trying to kick my addiction to sugar!...Chocolate is my worst enemy! But, I'm doing good by rewarding myself with sugar free fudge bars-they are so rich and taste like the real thing...the good thing is that they only have 70 calories and it hits the spot. I thought I would try to help anyone suffering from the same problem! ;-)

lol.. i agree heroine is much worse to withdrawl from , but I have a sis in law who is addicted to sugar and a male friend to had withdrawl sypstoms from caffeine... it depends on how much you eat in a day. "Jane" eats only carbs and candy with cellery on the side, a whole pack of skittles, now and laters, fireballs, gum, chips... hundreds of calories in sugar... her teeth are rotting out of her mouth and she had 6 root canals, and she's 25!!! "John" worked at a coffee bar for years and after downing at least 3 pots of sweet coffee everyday he bacame angry if he couldn't get to coffee... I work in the graveyard business (night shifts) so I see people addcited to caffeine and sugar.... it took years to wean myself off to green tea.... plus green tea tastes better.

 

See whats in Aspartame and artificial sweetners... they give cancer to lab rats.... should we ignore it?

I know I have a sugar addiction because even one day when I try my best not to have any, I get so anxious inside and the thoughts of getting sugar consume me until I somehow get some.  It is a very vicious cycle.  My goal is to work through that anxiousness with prayer, deep breathing, calling a friend, getting outside or doing something active, and hang in there until that mood subsides!  I do not want a physical vice holding me back in my life!  There is too much life to live without making this another battle to deal with!

My name is Vivian and I am a sugar/carbohydrates addict. I am also a Diabetic and am wheelchair bound. Since I am limited in the amount and kinds of exercise that I can do, which is not good for Diabetes, I am stuck. I have neuropathic (nerve pain,) which is the hardest to cure and which I believe, is the most painful type of pain. The pain has escalated in the last 2 years and to soothe myself and to take my mind off the pain, I eat sugar or

Equal-laden carbohydrates. I am not quite fat, but I have gained 50 pounds in the last 2 years! My sugar is high, my kidneys and eyes have become affected and in '08 I had a mini stroke, (not the cause of being in a wheelchair) which the doctors say may have been caused by my out of control Diabetes, and yet I can't stop! I may eat 7 or 8 cookies--sugar-free, but not carbohydrate free, at a time or 3 slices of cheesecake, etc. As you can see, this is serious! Someone help me! I don't know what to do!

Sugar is most definately addicting.....i am a sugar addict. i cant go a day without some kind of refined sugar. and as stated before, i can eat all the fruit that i can get my hands on and still it doesnt satisfy that craving for the sweets. Is being addicted to sugar like being addictd to crack........well no BUT.... if its harmful to you as we all know sugar is, and you continue to eat it, it too has its consequences just as drugs or alcohol. We all need food to survive, you dont need drugs or alcohol. so maybe thats why they feel being addicted to sugar is milder than being addicted to drugs, but thats like saying oh well being addicted to alcohol is milder than being addicted to cocaine.......tell that to the alcoholic. They dont have a AA for sugar addicts! I dont smoke or drink, never been addicted to any "drugs"  but i am addicted to food particularly sugar, so i know what its like to want to stop but cant.

i have found  the best thing to do is not hav any sugar at all,,and it works

Original Post by: bill70103

i have found  the best thing to do is not hav any sugar at all,,and it works

I couldn't survive a single day without sugar

Is physical addiction to sugar real?  I would have to say, based on my own experience, YES!  But is it addictive for everyone?  Maybe not.  I once heard a study about alcoholism that found there are some people who have a physical predisposition to addiction because it creates a different chemical response in some than it does in others.  That is why not everyone who drinks becomes an alcoholic.  I do understand that there is an emotional componenet too, but this was talking strictly about proof of a physically different response.

I think the same thing can be said for sugar addiction.  Once I have started giving myself permission to indulge a little I have a very hard time stopping.  And when I go without it for a day or two I get headaches.  But once I have muscled thru the "withdrawl" then I quit craving it and can resist it pretty easily for months at a time.

Every single thing in this article that describes a physical addiction applies to me!

 

Original Post by: tarabatchelor

Sugar is most definately addicting.....i am a sugar addict. i cant go a day without some kind of refined sugar. and as stated before, i can eat all the fruit that i can get my hands on and still it doesnt satisfy that craving for the sweets. Is being addicted to sugar like being addictd to crack........well no BUT.... if its harmful to you as we all know sugar is, and you continue to eat it, it too has its consequences just as drugs or alcohol. We all need food to survive, you dont need drugs or alcohol. so maybe thats why they feel being addicted to sugar is milder than being addicted to drugs, but thats like saying oh well being addicted to alcohol is milder than being addicted to cocaine.......tell that to the alcoholic. They dont have a AA for sugar addicts! I dont smoke or drink, never been addicted to any "drugs"  but i am addicted to food particularly sugar, so i know what its like to want to stop but cant.

There actually is a 12 step program for people who have eating disorders of any type. It is Overeaters Anonymous and is set up just like AA. It is a very helpful support group. You should be able to find if there is one near you through a social services agency.

I have one suggestion that may motivate someone to improve their eating habits

especially women

just keep in mind that after menopause even if you don't overeat binge etc your weight will be even MORE difficult to lose because of the fact that your body has lost those hormones that affect your metablolism

I have always worked out but was too impatient to stick to a diet to the finish but when I tried I could lose 10 lbs with a blink of an eye then in my late 40s I was working out more than ever (2 hrs daily) but noticed no matter how much I did my weight would stay the same and then there was the problem of eating enough to keep my metabolism going which was not something I had to deal with when I was younger

and now well my weight looks like it is here to stay unless I absolutely starve myself which is something I will not do

I still work out on a regular basis but it is more for health than vanity

just keep that age in mind the number 50

the metabolism just stops at 50

so if you are young and not happy with your weight just stop eating stuff that is causing you to feel that way and lose it

I just want to add that when I was younger I was a major sugar addict and now don't eat half of what I did back then but because of my age the weight is very very difficult to lose ... so you younger women have that advantage make use of it

even if you walk 30 min a day or even better do a light run

I have been struggling with sugar and can't tell if it is related to the depression meds I have been on or if it is stress or psychological.....I also work in a children's home that gets the local bakery goods every day for "the kids". I want them sooooo bad some days. I try to snack on a 100 cal pack that is chocolaty or something, but I never seem satisfied.

oh my, I didn't realize it was such a gripping issue for people.

I don't think I'm addicted, but I definitely have a problem. I eat super ultra mega absurdly healthy most of the time... but the second I get a hit of sugar I binge myself into oblivion. It turns into a conscious act of self destruction where-by my stomach will be hurting and I know I've eaten more than a week's worth of sugary goods and yet, I can't stop until its all gone.
It happened today and I can't stop beating myself up. Luckily, unlike most times, this was during the day and I had to go to work after which means I was on my feet for a few hours, and had a one hour bike ride back home so I feel a little better about myself. But usually its late at night and I go straight to bed after and REALLY beat myself up about it for a few days.

I can go weeks absolutely fine, almost repulsed at the very thought of eating badly, and then BAM! I would love to get to the root of it with a psychologist one day but money, money, money.

I had no idea so many people, besides myself, consider themselves reliant on sugar! I finally feel like there are people who understand me! Anyways.... I can eat bags of candy at a time and never get stomach aches. My friends never understood... maybe it was a built up "tolerance"? This is interesting stuff.

Sugar is one of those all or nothing substances for me I am finding out.  I kicked cigarettes years ago and it was tough - very tough... but frankly I've found removing sugar from my diet to be almost as hard - so I have every belief it is an addicting substance.  In the past I could limit myself to just a piece of cake here or there - but soon I go back into bad habits and so I have removed all "simple carbs" from my diet and I since doing so I have energy, look good (clear skin and shiny hair) and feel SO much better. 

I use stevia now as an alternative on those rare occassions where you have to have sweets around (birthday cakes and whatnot)

Well, this is interesting.  Just found this group and have read the comments.  I had a feeling that there might be something going on with sugar.  It has become more of an issue for me since I've gotten older.  I have managed to drastically reduce the amount of refined sugars I have and HFCS isn't an issue as I seldom eat packaged, fast or pre-prepared foods.  However, even the sugar in fruit can be an issue for me.  It is almost impossible for me to eat one orange.  Especially in the winter.  Ditto with grapes.

I do want to comment on the original article where the author states:  "The responsible adult maintains flexible self-control all around."
Addiction, by its very nature, isn't that easy to control and the idea that "will power" and "being responsible" is all it takes went out the door decades ago.  We acknowledge that alcoholics have a disease called addiction and it is a very complex and damaging disease.  I think all addiction is complex.  There are psychological and physical factors at play and one cannot control the other.  Breaking an addiction takes effort and the will to do it of course, but it also takes understanding, acknowledgment and support.

Given the fast food, pre-packaged food and sugar industries that are working to keep us addicted this is a very difficult area in which to find support.  This forum has been eye opening for me and I am grateful to everyone who has shared their story.  Knowing one isn't alone or insane (although any addiction might well be considered a mental health issue) is by far the best medicine.

Thank you everyone.  It would be nice to see this discussion and support continue.

Teri

 

Hmm.. Very interesting.  I recently have decided to break my sugar addiction.  I currently work from home, and I find that the pantry calls to me.  I know I eat mostly out of boredom, it's something to do.  Also tv watching and eating go hand-in-hand for me.  So I decided to try and cut out simple carbs/sugars.  No refined sugars, only those found naturally in foods.  And once I've stuck with that for a month, I want to cut down on the amount of carbs I eat.  I eat a moderate amount, but I think that could increase with the lack of sugar in my diet.  I plan on cutting out the "whites": Sugar, white flour, pasta, rice, potatoes.  I may not cut them all out completely, as I already try to eat the best of those (ie) whole wheat pasta, only new potatoes, whole wheat or multi grain bread, wild or basmati rice (which follow the Glycemic Index).  All of which or more complex carbs then their "white" counterparts.  I think it's the small things.  They add up quickly.  I wish you all luck in kicking your sugar addictions.  Here goes mine!

I'm no scientist, but I can tell you that sugar has been a HUGE factor in my life - and cutting it completely out of my life has been a HUGE factor in eliminating cravings.  For years I thought that fat was the enemy, so went for low fat solutions - so why did I keep getting fatter?   Yeah, sugar... in all it's natural, unnatural and hidden forms kept me hungry and wanting more.   I can't do moderation either - I feel sooo much better completely without it!  It took a few weeks of grim determination to get past the cravings.  It took a lot of self-talk to shut up the lies I was telling myself (one piece won't hurt... you deserve that donut...you can't do this)   Finally I have no problem sticking to a healthy diet and have more energy throughout the day!  I've changed my reward system too...  when I accomplish something, instead of celebrating with food, I will go out and do an activity that I love.   Salon, bike ride, art gallery, movie (no pop, popcorn or candy either!).  I think I"m on the right track finally... I feel great and the pounds are coming off.

A follow-up, years later: [New Blog Post] ARE foods addictive? AskMaryRD.com