As a food addict I lost over 150 pounds the old fashioned way (no operations – not that there is anything wrong with that by the way) and I have kept it off for over 35 years. Early into the journey to long term food addiction recovery that I began in my early 20s I discovered I needed more psychological work, after some short term counseling that did improve my situation. Since I was a practical sort of guy and I wanted to change my line of work I figured I would get my head on straight by going back to college (I had dropped out several times) to study psychology and counseling. I also knew as a student that I could get my counseling free in the college counseling center. At that time I knew nothing about food addiction or being a food addict and my college work in the 1970s did not even offer a course in addictions. Returning to college led me to completing my bachelors and masters degrees in counseling and psychology.

Over my career as a counselor I achieved multiple certifications/licenses that include the following:

National Certified Counselor

Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Master Addiction Counselor

Certified Employee Assistance Counselor

Distance Credentialed Counselor

Licensed Mental Health Counselor – State of Florida (MH1370)

 You can probably see I was propelled into my profession by my personal pain and need for food addiction treatment as a food addict. It is not an unusual thing for many counselors to have picked psychology as a career to deal with their own issues (at least one major reason anyway). Some would say only those in the worst shape needed to take that route. Well, it sure seemed to me at the time I was not in good shape I can assure you of that!

I also will tell you I accomplished one of my major goals personally in wanting to lose the weight (marriage) although it took about 15 years to happen. I met Joanne and after 6 years of off and on dating we were married and have been happily married now for over 20 years. Naturally I can’t take all the credit for that as Joanne also has shared in the creation of our success together. We are childless by choice

Food Addict Mastery?

I also would like to tell you I have mastered my addiction to food at age 62 but that would not be true. I am still managing it one day at a time and could very quickly get back to over 325 pounds (I am 5’5”) if I “let myself go” as some would say. I think the term I would use for me is I am in late stage recovery. I have a certain level of comfort.  One way I could say it is the boundaries or tools I use to stay at the current level work for me. If they stop working for me I know what to do to alter the boundaries or tools and stay at my current weight. So in that sense I am a master but in no sense have I recovered. I am indeed still a food addict today.

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