Rehab centers nationwide are helping addicts become substance independent—but not necessarily independent in their dietary choices. The New York Times published an article recently entitled “Off the Drugs, Onto the Cupcakes” that expounds on generally unhealthy foods in rehab centers, and the role those foods play in recovering addicts’ lives. The article, by Abbey Ellin, states, “Rodney Zimmers was 21 years old and 135 pounds when he got off heroin and cocaine for good. Three years later, he was still drug free but had ballooned to 250. He blames his weight gain on the high-calorie, high-sugar food served in rehabilitation.” Zimmers went on to say he learned how to be sober in rehab but didn’t learn other helpful life skills or how to live how to function as a contributing member of society. Gaining weight is a reasonable consequence of becoming sober in rehabilitation, says rehab experts. In fact, the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step book, dubbed the “Big Book,” suggests consuming sugar to alleviate fatigue and curb cravings. Found in chapter nine, the exact section reads, “One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this book in manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often helpful . . .he thought all alcoholics should constantly have chocolate available for its quick energy value at times of fatigue. He added that occasionally in the night a vague craving arose which would be satisfied by candy. Many of us have noticed a tendency to eat sweets and have found this practice beneficial.” BYU-Hawaii Professor Joel Reece, in the EXS Department, had a more practically applicable view on sugar addiction. He explained the overconsumption of sugar, whether a technical addiction or not, is still a problem behavior with negative repercussions and should be replaced with better habits just as any other problem behavior. Reece added, “Overall, my suggestion is to replace the improper intake of sugar with a more appropriate behavior. It’s a problem for sure. We don’t look at it as being a big deal, but how willing are we to pass up a soda if it’s in front of us?” Possible food addiction in rehab centers follows a growing pile of evidence against sugar some of which lumps sugar with other highly addictive substances, say health advocates. One such source of evidence is “Fed Up,” the 2014 documentary narrated by Katie Couric. The film pinpoints sugar addiction as the overlooked primary cause of obesity in America, stating that between 1977 and 2000 the amount of sugar in the American diet doubled. As declared in the film by Dr. Robert Lustig, professor of Pediatrics at University of California, San Francisco, “Sugar is poison. It is a chronic, dose dependent, liver toxin.” Latu Fuluvaka, a junior in EXS from Hawaii, agreed with the notion sugar is an addictive substance. Fuluvaka said, “It happens all the time with soda. Sugar acts the same way in your body as an addictive drug does. Most rehab centers have to generate profit I assume, and healthier food can be more expensive, so I think money’s the main issue when it comes to that.”
Writer: Hannah Packard ~ Multimedia Journalist
