Help offered for food addicts in Porirua City
How do you recover from an addiction when the very thing you’re addicted to is an essential part of staying alive?
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is holding a free public information event in Porirua to help people find support.
Mary, not her real name, said the meeting would be a great chance for people to come along and see what the group offered.
‘‘It’s very friendly and supportive ... it has no fees and no weigh in, just a chance for people to come together and share their experience, strength and hopes.’’
She said the programme wasn’t religious but had a spiritual aspect to it and was for anyone struggling with food addiction.
‘‘Obesity is very high profile and very obvious, but food addiction comes in the form of anorexia and bulimia as well, people don’t understand how hard it is.’’
Her own food addiction began when she was a child struggling with school and continued for decades.
‘‘I remember coming home from school to my mother’s cooking, and experiencing a feeling of warmth, refuge and love. Those food associations became deeply ingrained.’’
After years of dieting and exercising while her weight continued to fluctuate she heard a friend use the words ‘‘food addict’ and she immediately identified.
‘‘I went to a meeting for Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous with her and heard others share similar struggles with food. Someone at the meeting asked me if I thought I could follow the programme for one day. I thought that might be possible – for one day.’’
One day at a time she lost 27 kg and reached a healthy weight for the first time since she was 5 years old. She’s kept it off for more than 13 years.
Friends and family ask her why she still goes to meetings when she’s had a thin body for years.
‘‘I’m still doing this because I still have the mind and body of a food addict. By practicing certain disciplines every day, I do not have to take that first addictive bite and my life keeps getting better.’’
The meeting will be held at The Salvation Army, Fantame St, Cannons Creek, August 23, 7pm till 8.30pm, for more information email fanewzealand@hotmail.com.