"Individuals can be predisposed to addiction through genetics," says Dr. Marty Lerner

Dr. Lerner is the head of Milestones in Recovery, providing food addiction informed treatment, an INFACT School faculty member and partner, and Food Addiction Institute board member.

In his book, A Guide to Eating Disorder Recovery, Defining the Problem—Finding the Solution, Dr. Lerner outlines the nature of the disease of food addiction and how to recover.

Dr. Lerner talks about the “perfect storm”, a person being an addict and seeking brain pleasure-center hits of dopamine and having the available substance, food can lead to the disease of food addiction. Food addicts can recover and enjoy glorious lives free of their substances through daily disciplines such as having a food plan, and exercise, despite whether they are motivated.

“When we develop the discipline of doing what needs doing despite the feelings or intrusive thoughts we are moving toward the solution. It’s a doing process, not a thinking or feeling process”, Dr. Lerner says.

At Milestones in Recovery, the professionals work to identify with the individual what substances trigger a physiological response for which willpower is not a solution, and encourage complete abstinence from the triggers.

Through what Dr. Lerner frames as “Constructive Living”, we gain freedom from our habitual patterns of self-destructive behaviors and reclaim our lives. In recovery from food addiction, Dr. Lerner emphasized the need for an acronym called SMERF: Spirituality, Meditation, Exercise, Rest, and a Food Plan.

The food, pharmaceutical, and insurance industries are financially motivated to get and keep people addicted to sugar, flour, and other processed foods. Until it is recognized that sugar can be addictive, is an additive, and not a food, and other substances such as flour and processed foods are addictive, food addiction will continue to contribute to the obesity crisis in the U.S.

"Food Addiction: The Problem and The Solution" podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts. Listeners can also listen to the podcast on the INFACT School website and on the INFACT Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheInfactSchool

About The INFACT School
The International School for Food Addiction Counseling and Treatment (INFACT School) is the world's first and only food addiction counseling training, resulting in professional certification from an accredited certification body. Graduates qualify to receive a Certified Food Addiction Professional (CFAP) certificate from the European Certification Board and a CFAP from the The Addiction Professionals Certification Board. Registration is open for the September, 2023 term

About Susan Branscome
The podcast host, Susan Branscome, is the creator and host of LeadingShe, a podcast where women leaders use their voices, wisdom and experiences to help elevate and inspire other women. A 40-year career in which Susan succeeded in the male-dominated commercial real estate industry and owned her own company, prepared her for the task of interviewing these courageous women, sharing stories and ideas of her own. 

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