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I’m addicted to getting drunk and then ordering unhealthy takeout. Idk what to do or how to stop.
hoping ❤️❤️❤️
You're not addicted to getting drunk. You're just addicted to alcohol.
I would advise moving to another city if possible.
Omg this was my struggle for a long time! I'd get super high and order these huge meals and gorge myself, and I wouldn't even care bc I was so high. It felt so good!! But it was bc I wasn't getting a dopamine rush from anywhere else. What helped me was working on finding other things that made me happy and gave me that rush. I won't lie it's still a struggle just bc you can't just snap and make ur life better. When I get stressed I'm right back there. But I was able to break it for a whole year, and even after I relapsed it's not nearly as bad as it was before.
What do you do instead of eating now?
Well first I started therapy for my depression and PTSD. So that helped me focus on myself vs eating.
I also started journaling so I could feel my emotions isntead of eating them. Its hard for me still bc I hate facing how I feel instead of pushing it down lol.
I went on walks and tried to incorporate more movement into my life. Not quite exercise but it got me out of the house more. It also offset the effect the calories were having on me bc I was moving more so losing more calories in the process
I also started investing more time in my hobbies. I set reading times for myself, and started going out doing the things I wanted instead of staying home and eating. It gave me that dopamine rush instead
Also I went sober around the same time for unrelated reasons but I think that also helped me just bc weed really encouraged my binges vs when I'm sober I still have the urge but sober enough to deny myself
A combination of Wellbutrin and naltraxone helped me. Speak to your doc. I did the same thing as you for years.
Did you go on Wellbutrin for anxiety or for BED?
My doc thought I was depressed..I was a little so she gave me Wellbutrin. Then I started naltraxone to help me stop drinking. I just hit a year of sobriety. I was doing what you do though, I swear half of my drinking was so that I could pig out. It’s like the alcohol shit off the part of my brain that would, debate should I or shouldn’t I order crap food. It was a total high inhaling a pizza and ten other things. I’m older though, I was ready to make a change..it’s tough in your 20s because so much of life is bar/drinking related. I’m old now! Good luck..you can do it if you really want to. Find an addiction specialist.
Docs will give you Wellbutrin for binging. Unfortunately I am allergic but that's how I found out I'm allergic lol
The only way I ever crack this cycle is adding exercise. Not removing binging at first, just adding exercise. Over time, I start to care about my body more until eventually the scale tips and binging starts to feel bad. My longest periods “sober” have been because of this
Multiple times a week I’d crack and end up drinking almost a bottle of wine and then doordashing a HUGE unhealthy meal just to feel something
Short answer is, I began drinking less.
I drank to the point where I would still feel buzzed and social, but not enough to get cravings. Drinking too much would definitely result in a hangover where I'd be highly susceptible to overeating.
I was a single 27 year old girl living in NYC and while life does revolve eating and drinking, it was only when I was out with friends. I binged on food because I would diet during the week and make up for it on the weekends. Would it be possible to only drink when you are with others?
Yes but I prefer drinking alone, I know that sounds weird. But it gets me out of my head at home and helps me de stress.
Yes I love a drink after work but that is a trigger for bingeing. Best thing to do is replace the trigger with something else to destress. Nothing will feel as good as drinking or eating at first.
Could you try going for a run instead?
I did the same when I lived alone. It’s like trying to fill a void for connection (for me) and soothe anxiety. Would you consider a 12 step meeting like AA?
You’re not alone! Last night I ate so much Thai takeout and then proceeded to binge on all the snacks in my cubbies. My problem isn’t drinking, it’s weed
Same!
I struggled with this too!!! This exact thing! I just started trying to focus on what feelings I was chasing after when I binged. Then when I started getting the urge to binge I'd think about the feeling after binging and I wouldn't want to do it.
You are depressed.
Switch to only drinking socially. Don’t allow yourself to buy wine and bring it home.
Like others have said, you need to cut back the alcohol completely, easier said than done for sure. I put myself in tonnes of debt when addicted to weed and benzos by doing this exact thing. the only way I’ve recovered is by getting clean. I get that it’s such a simple answer but such a hard thing to do, I don’t know what to tell you OP. Drinking everyday will do far worse for your health than binging will in the long run. Please speak to your GP.
27 is such a difficult age to be. 28f here (29 next month woo!) and I was the exact same way at your age. The truth is, these habits are stemming from you being unhappy. Instead of feeling happy and fulfilled in other areas of your life, you’re getting your dopamine from the food and alcohol. My biggest advice would be you need to make a big change. I know, I know, that sounds so scary and stressful! I’m not saying it will be easy, but it will absolutely be worth it. Sit with yourself and figure out what exactly it is in your life that is making you unhappy. Then, see what you can do to change even just one of those things. For me, I was in an unhappy relationship that I’d been in for about 10 years. I didn’t see a way out, I didn’t see how I could ever end it but I did and now my life is so much better and I’m no longer relying on the cheap thrills of getting drunk and stuffing my face. I’d also look into maybe some talk therapy while you’re at it, because when I was engaging in these behaviors I was severely depressed as well. Maybe you need a change of scenery, maybe you need more/better/different friends, maybe you need a new hobby! Finding something meaningful and worthwhile to occupy your time is another great way to get some real good endorphins going. I’m sending you internet hugs over here, hoping things can turn around for you! Best of luck to you, things really can and do get better, I promise.
Something I learned later than I should have, and might help you… There is freedom in discipline, not chaos.. You have to put the guard rails up, you have to give yourself boundaries and play within them. The feeling of independence and freedom can be grandiose, intoxicating even. Ooooo baby was 27 a good year! But the habits you do now will impact you every day, and all of a sudden you’ll wake up at 32 and realllly not recognize yourself. What does that even mean? What does it feel like to be you? Ask yourself that, and ask yourself what’s getting in the way of it.. Nobody is going to discipline you for you, or tell you no. The only thing that’s actually worked for me is committing to a fitness program, which includes a mandatory 10k steps a day. No matter what. Maybe figure out something you can incorporate and commit to in your life, and see how that starts to impact your habits. But also, sorry babe, you gotta grow up at some point and not equate fun with food and alcohol, or life is going to be cut short. Multiple bottles of wine per week for a 27 year old woman is, by medical standards, alcohol abuse.
I’ve struggled with this for so so long and I’m finallly on a path to healing — I wasn’t huge on drinking but it was always the munchies for me. EVERYTHING tastes 1000% better when you’re not sober but the best thing you can do is be honest with yourself and own it!
Sometimes I would be scared to check the scale and it was like the guilt was eating me up inside knowing that number was shooting up so it caused me to eat more thinking it was like a “freebie” till I finally checked.
It wasn’t till I finally admitted to myself how sensitive I am and how much my health mattered to me before stepping on that scale and letting all the emotions hit me and decided that I am a resilient person and this is the highest I will ever be again.
I don’t diet but I use this app called Yuka (i higgghhllyyy recommend) and I just scan food items at the store and use that as a guide line of what I SHOULD eat, of course I always grab a few things here and there that are sugary or fattening but I own it and don’t let myself feel guilty about it because it’s a choice I thought about and chose to make.
I guess what I’m saying is just be easy on yourself - this disorder always comes from something deeply unhealed in us all and we need to work WITH our bodies and NOT against them. Our body speaks to us we just need to be listening and not just react.
I don’t know if this helps but I’ve started out this way and as I went on I slowly saw my food behaviors and thinking start to change, which overall lead to me start going to the gym to hike a mile every morning and now I go to the gym every morning before work for a full workout, IF my body is up for it but usually my body wants it even when my head just wants to sleep (insert caffeine addiction) Now when I do “binge” I’ll start feeling guilty but then realize the things I’m binging on are more than HALF the calories I used to scarf down and not nearly as much as I used to. I use this as a moment of progression not perfection.
I’m not where I want to be but the progress is INSANE because I let my body get used to a little bit at a time and I’m down 40+ lbs since starting 2 years ago - once again slow progress but mainly because I went through a lot of back and forth in the beginning & it’s better than not doing anything at all! Also I still get high everyday.
There are so many options out there of the “right” way to do it but this is just my truth and maybe it’s worth trying if it feels right for you. I really hope you are easier on yourself, maybe start by trying to find healthier alternatives on take out? Or meal prep so you have food to eat and takes no energy to think about it? This is BEATABLE and you are a RESILIENT BABE!!!
Appreciate these kind words so much!!!
Have you tried making a list of the positives that will come from ending this cycle? Can you think of any?
I still have weak moments, but I recognized that it really hurts my sleep and digestion when I binge. When I don’t binge, I can wake up early and go for a nice (comfortable) run. When I don’t binge, my clothes don’t feel uncomfortable around my waist. When I don’t binge, I can eat my treats all week instead of running out in one night.
I relate to this and I empathize with you 💖 I don’t have much advice but I really recommend the book drinking games by sarah levy
I used to be the same because my life was devoid of any joy outside drinking and eating.
Best thing i did was pick up pole dance/yoga/cycling and start going to the gym and walking regularly. Once i found something i was passionate about i didn't want to ruin it by drinking and feeling crappy anymore.
Once i developed healthy habits and put the drink down and sorted my sleeping pattern i decided to tackle my diet. Cutting out soda and ultra-processed foods. I now meal prep once a week my breakfast, lunch and dinner and I eat 3x a day but i focus on high protein meals that will keep me satiated and help with muscle growth/repair.
I don't snack and if i feel hungry outside my meals i find something to do to distract myself like cleaning or some unfinished work.
I see food more as a fuel for my body now, it's nice to indulge every now and again but you have to fall in love with the journey to becoming a better version of yourself and focus on long term goals vs short term reward. It is not easy, but it's doable.
Thank you for sharing. The delivery app thing I understand. I delete them and add them back. It is a struggle!
I live alone for the first time and with that came me no longer giving a flying f what I ate because no one was there to judge me.
I think it's best to start with taking the shame out of it. There's nothing wrong with wanting to feel good or stop feeling bad and using food/drink/etc. to do that is very normal.
I think the shame stops people from talking about it or getting help.
I guess the next thing to do is find out why you are doing this. You already mentioned not being judged so I'm guessing you had others commenting or watching what you consumed where you were before. It's not uncommon for people to gain weight when they are first away from home because someone else isn't feeding them or handling the food budget then there's the newness of getting to eat all the cheesecake you bought and you can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I think you might be able to see commonalities with other things you do/don't do while living alone. Like if no one is ever going to come over then there's no reason to pick up clothes or wash dishes in a timely manner. You have those people though that are going to keep a clean house no matter if anyone comes over or not and that's something they do for themselves; controlling what you consume can be the same way.
There are a lot of things to try like therapy, medication, meditation, exercise, coping mechanisms, etc. so you have to find what works for you.
I'm similar but instead of wine it's cannabinoids like delta 8 and thca. It got to the point where I would get upset if there was an opportunity where food was available and I couldn't get high. I had to take a month long tolerance break, and chew my food very slowly while not doing anything else. Small bites and not Even my phone or tv. It was boring but it really helped!
Drinking and eating doesn’t make you happy you sound like you’re in pain you think it does though. You got this
I’m so sorry ❤️
I used alcohol to cope for years. I also have always struggled with sugar addiction and BED. I stopped drinking when I started taking depression meds and I felt super sick no matter how little I drank. The only thing that helps my BED so far is meds.
It also might help to get to the source of why you are doing it, as in are you filling a void, depressed, avoiding something, using it to cope, or is this simply something truly fun for you?
If you haven’t, you might want to start by talking to your PCP. If needed, a psychiatrist can help too if you’d like to try meds for mental health or BED.
Hi! I already take citalopram for anxiety for the past 5 years.
Last year i became sober because i did the same thing and it was the hardest thing i ever did but was completely necessary and im so glad i did. Im down 40 pounds without exercise and my mental health is amazing
Getting drunk while waiting for your food to arrive is top tier.
I know 🥹🥹🥹
I struggle with psychotic banding, alcohol abuse, and gambling. All fucked up. For me, it was realizing that all the trouble flows from alcohol. it’s really hard to get sober but if I can get sober the other stuff not as bad.
I’m on a good one month stretch right now, which is the first time in over a year. The way I have flipped the switch this time and other times to being positive is committing to keto. it reduces the cravings, gives me something to focus on, but I can also eat some shit like an In-N-Out double double protein style….. or three of them if I’m really anxious…. can make some stuff, plus keto bread way better than it used to be
That’s my two cents, keto can cut the cravings and better life can flow from that….. transitioning them being normal remains a little elusive, but I’m gonna worry about that if I can make it to 90 days of sobriety and keto
I started taking Semaglutide a few weeks ago (wegovy/ozempic) and it curbed ALL of my cravings. I always used to have intense cravings and would really overdo it. I have not only stopped being interested in alcohol but also have no desire to binge anymore. It has already been life changing for me. Ask your doctor if they think it might help you.
Some people have also had success taking Wellbutrin - I personally think it made my BED worse and made me gain lots of weight but I was an exception and not the rule. A lot of people have had weight loss and curbed cravings on it, just not me personally.
Have you had any side effects? How did you get your doctor to prescribe?
I have had occasional headaches and occasional minor nausea but really no other side effects (other than the positive ones)! In addition to controlling my BED and drinking, I am starting to lose weight! My insurance only covers it for people with diabetes so I used a telehealth company called push health and they connected me with a provider who wrote the prescription because my BMI was high enough to meet the clinically indicated criteria. There’s other companies too like mochi and henry meds I have heard a lot of other people using.
But I’d say check with your regular doctor first - explain the struggles you’ve been having and ask them what they think about semaglutide (wegovy/ozempic) as an option to help control the BED and assist in getting back to the best weight for you. Some doctors don’t offer it outside of diabetes care though so if that’s the case then that’s when I’d try one of the telehealth places!
oh my god, are you me?!
In all seriousness though, thank you for posting this because I’ve been struggling with the same thing so hopefully we get some helpful advice 😊