Food addictions, especially in the West, are one of the most widespread but under-reported addictions. For a lot of people, food is their "drug" of choice. Many addicts eat much more food then they need and do so for the same reason that people drink alcohol and take drugs, to self medicate. Instead of dealing with the root problem, a great number of individuals use food to improve their mood and deal with their issues.

There are significant risks for those who have food addictions. Obesity and being significantly overweight is one of the biggest problems in countries such as America. This condition comes with its own hosts of problems. Chronic disease and death are often the result of food addictions that have resulted in people gaining weight and becoming obese.

What Causes Food Addictions: A food addiction is similar to drug or alcohol abuse. People addicted to food are not able to control their eating even when they understand the gravity and danger associated with eating too much. These people often eat to feel better and to deal with negative feelings. They may constantly think about eating and act based on their cravings and not good nutrition.

Signs of Food Addictions: Signs that a person may be addicted to food include the inability to stop eating even when satisfied, constant cravings for food, binging, and being overweight. People with a food addiction are often driven by what foods they are eating and what they will be eating throughout the day.

Causes of Food Addiction: An individual may develop a food addiction if they use eating as a way to cope with their problems. Just as people self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, the same is possible with food. In fact, some professionals believe that food addictions are the most widespread addiction of all, dwarfing substance abuse. It is just more tolerated, accepted and ignored. This is to the peril of individuals that suffer from it because being overweight and obese can lead to a host of chronic conditions and even death.

Effects: The affects of food addictions are very serious. People with such an addiction to food may develop eating disorders such as bulimia which involves binging and purging. They might also gain unhealthy amounts of weight. This puts them at risk for a host of health problems including high blood pressure and diabetes. These chronic conditions can be very dangerous and may lead to amputation in cases of the latter and heart attack or disease in cases of the former.
 
Complications: The most prominent complications of food addiction are weight gain, obesity and chronic illness all which can lead to death.

Rehab and Recovery: It is possible to enter a recovery program aimed at curing or at least successfully managing food addictions. This might include nutritional education, counseling and cognitive behavioral modification.