Battling binge eating in the land of buffets

Living in Sin City, temptations are around every corner.

But when an alcoholic decides to become sober, it's possible to go about life without another drink. A smoker doesn't have to smoke. A gambler doesn't have to bet.

But what happens when your addiction is food?

GENETICS LOADS THE GUN, ENVIRONMENT PULLS THE TRIGGER

Eating disorders are all unique; however, common types include anorexia, in which an individual self-starves to prevent weight gain; bulimia, in which a person compulsively eats and then purges to avoid gaining weight; and binge eating, in which an individual consumes large quantities of food while feeling powerless to stop.

Binge eating affects one in every 35 adults in the United States, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

Registered dietitian Nina Gasow, who specializes in eating disorders, said having an unhealthy relationship with food is usually a sign that someone has some type of eating disorder.

"(Eating) disorders are not age, sex or race discriminatory," she said. "My youngest client was 10, and I've had clients in their 60s. It's not just women, either; it's men, too."

While emotions often play a role in these disorders, Gasow said she believes a person's genetics and environment are also factors.

"We tend to say that genetics loads the gun while (their) environment pulls the trigger," Gasow said. "Oftentimes, there's not one instance or reason that caused a disorder, and you'll go down a rabbit hole you can't get out of if you try to pinpoint why it happened."

Henderson resident Sophie, who asked not to use her real name, said she used to turn to food for emotional comfort.

"I would go through periods of dieting and binging, and I felt pretty hopeless," she said. "I felt a lot of shame and fear that I was out of control and wouldn't be able to stop. Once I started, I couldn't stop until I was sick and fell asleep in a stupor."

In 1973, Sophie came across Overeaters Anonymous while watching TV. Although she felt confident it would work, it took another four years of compulsive eating to convince herself to attend a meeting.

"From the very first meeting, I felt a sense of being home," she said. "I finally found a group of people who ate and felt as I did, and for the first time, I felt hopeful that I could stop this destructive behavior."

FINDING HELP AT OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

Founded in 1960, Overeaters Anonymous currently hosts about 6,500 weekly meetings in more than 75 countries. These meetings are held in person, over the phone or online, according to Naomi Lippel, managing director of the World Service office of OA.

"When people come to a meeting for the first time, they're often surprised to hear that other people share the same stories and symptoms they have," Lippel said. "It's a very powerful moment when they realize they're not the only ones who obsess about food 24/7."

Similar to becoming "sober" through Alcoholics Anonymous or "clean" through Narcotics Anonymous, OA members attempt to attain "abstinence" from compulsive eating behaviors.

"For someone who is bulimic, this could mean abstaining from purging through excessive exercise or vomiting. For someone who is a compulsive eater, it could mean to abstain from binging," Lippel said. "Abstinence means they are working toward a healthy weight and getting a handle on compulsive behaviors and food obsessions."

To help gain abstinence, OA offers its members sponsors, literature, meetings, volunteer opportunities, anonymity and more at no cost.

"A large part of losing and maintaining any weight loss is to be of service," said OA member Dave, who asked not to use his last name. "When you see the light come on in people's eyes and see them change, it reinforces your own recovery."

NOT JUST FOR OVEREATERS

Despite its name, OA caters to all individuals experiencing a compulsive eating behavior, including those who undereat.

OA member Cathy, who also asked not to use her real name, suffered from anorexia at 13. By 17, she checked into a rehabilitation center for bulimia at her parents' request.

"It got to the point where I thought I would rather die than be fat," Cathy said. "Over time, I got heavier and heavier, meaner and meaner, lonelier and lonelier, and bitterer and bitterer towards life and people around me. At 19, I finally realized that in order for me to sustain recovery, I would have to go to OA meetings for the rest of my life."

Although Cathy has successfully received other forms of treatment, she views OA as the foundation for her recovery. She said volunteering her time has been most helpful.

"I have an addiction to only thinking of me and what I want," she said. "So when I can be of service to someone else, it gets me out of that disease and allows me to focus on something else other than my food and weight."

THERAPISTS, DIETITIANS ALSO OFFER SUPPORT

In addition to support groups, those diagnosed with compulsive eating behaviors can seek help through therapists, doctors, nutritionists and dietitians.

"I encourage people to take the initial step and tell someone they are struggling and need help," Gasow said. "... Just tell someone you trust because that alone can diminish the power an eating disorder has over you."

Cathy also advises that individuals remove any prejudgment they have of themselves or the OA program.

"The rules and shame will kill you faster than the food if you let it," she said. "Go to an OA meeting, and if you don't like it, go to another. Give yourself the chance to come back even if you feel like a failure. Eventually, it will click, and you'll find peace."

Overeaters Anonymous hosts about 20 weekly meetings throughout the Las Vegas Valley, Southern Utah, Pahrump and Laughlin. Visit lvoa.org or call 702-593-2945.