Food Addiction Program
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Food Addiction Program at Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa has a holistic approach to the treatment of eating disorders. We believe that there are several important aspects of any individual that must be considered during the course of treatment.
Food Addiction Program
In 1989, Turning Point of Tampa developed what is now a nationally recognized Eating Disorders/Food Addiction Program for clients with Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, and Anorexia Nervosa. Focusing on food as an addiction, we utilize a comprehensive 12-Step based treatment approach. This includes individualized food plans, individual and group counseling, body image groups, meal planning, food shopping, meal preparation, nutritional education, balanced exercise, and assertive communication skills.
The focus of Turning Point of Tampa’s Food Addiction Program is to provide a nutritionally balanced, low sugar, high fiber, caffeine-free food plan that also identifies and eliminates each client’s individual trigger foods as needed. We provide a safe food environment where meals are planned ahead, prepared by the client, and weighed and measured. Meals are eaten together and monitored by staff for added support. At Turning Point of Tampa, clients live with their food, which strengthens the development of daily behaviors and life skills needed to maintain recovery.
At Turning Point of Tampa, our gentle and caring approach to food addiction treatment is based on the 12-Step philosophy, which strives to uncover our client’s personal issues in a supportive and encouraging environment. Our highly-qualified and well-trained multi-disciplinary team uses the power of the group setting to address body image, beliefs about ourselves and food, underlying issues that get in the way of recovery, and the process of surrender for total recovery.
As an integral part of our Food Addiction Program, clients meet regularly with their primary therapist to develop an individualized treatment plan with measurable objectives and to address obstacles as they arise. Each client also meets with the dietitian for a complete assessment and then, at least weekly, to develop and monitor a food plan tailored specifically to their needs. The dietitian works hand in hand with the clients, preparing meals, making grocery lists and going on a restaurant outing to help jumpstart the physical component of recovery.
Veterans Addiction Assistance
Treatment for Veterans & Active Duty Service Members
Preferred Provider of The Community Care Network
What Is An Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are progressive, addictive, dangerous and potentially fatal for both men and women. Eating disorders are serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact your health, your emotions and your ability to function in important areas of life. The most common eating disorders and their definitions (according to the DSM-5) are:
Binge-Eating Disorder:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
- Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances
- A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
- The binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following:
- Eating much more rapidly than normal
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
- Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
- Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty afterward
- Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.
- Binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months.
- Binge eating not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors as in Bulimia Nervosa and does not occur exclusively during the course of Bulimia Nervosa or Anorexia Nervosa methods to compensate for overeating, such as self-induced vomiting.
Bulimia Nervosa:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
- Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g. within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances
- A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
- Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.
- The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months.
- Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
- The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa.
Anorexia Nervosa:
- Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health).
- Either an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain (even though significantly low weight).
- Disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
But How Common are These Eating Disorders?
Here are some statistics we have found to be vital:
According to the NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association):
- The rate of development of new cases of eating disorders has been increasing since 1950.
- There has been a rise in incidence of anorexia in young women 15-19 in each decade since 1930.
- The incidence of bulimia in women 10-39 years of age TRIPLED between 1988 and 1993.
- The prevalence of eating disorders is similar among Non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics, African–Americans, and Asians in the United States, with the exception that anorexia nervosa is more common among Non-Hispanic Whites.
- In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder.
Eating disorders often develop in the teen and young adult years, although they can develop later in life. Turning Point of Tampa food addiction program treats men and women, ranging from 18 years and older. With treatment, you can return to healthier eating habits and sometimes reverse serious complications caused by the eating disorder.
Veterans Addiction Assistance
Treatment for Veterans & Active Duty Service Members
Preferred Provider of The Community Care Network
Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape, and food, leading to dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your body’s ability to get adequate nutrition. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, and teeth and mouth, as well as lead to other diseases.
Some of the health consequences related to eating disorders can be:
- Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.
- Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.
- Muscle loss and weakness.
- Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
- Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
- Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common.
- Growth of a downy layer of hair—called lanugo—all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.
Physical Challenges
Looking at the physical aspect of the eating disorder is paramount. In order to help the client move to the point where we can address the emotional and mental aspects of their disease, we must help them get stabilized on a food plan which removes all trigger foods and unhealthy eating patterns. By having a prescribed plan for eating on a daily basis, what and how much they eat is no longer a concern for that day and clients are then able to move on to managing the emotional and mental health aspects of their disease. In this space, they are able to participate in intense individual and group therapy to help them develop healthy coping skills
For an individual suffering from anorexia, it is important to stabilize their physical wellbeing using a sound nutritional food plan. A slow progression of returning to normal eating can help overcome an individual’s fears of gaining weight and their body changing.
Cues and Triggers
When we are working with clients who are food addicted, it is important to look at hunger cues and triggers for eating. Being able to identify the feelings and thoughts that lead to binging and overeating are paramount in the treatment of someone with a food addiction.
For an individual suffering from bulimia, it is important to identify the triggers the individual experiences that precipitate their desire to purge or compensate in some way for eating. Addressing these triggers will help stop the compensatory eating disorder behavior.
Simultaneous Treatment
One of the unique features that sets Turning Point of Tampa apart from other treatment providers is our ability to treat all aspects of the individual simultaneously. For example, we are able to provide treatment for those suffering from alcohol or drug addiction and eating disorders at the same time. We also utilize a 12-step approach when treating eating disorders. This allows the client to benefit from focusing on the principles underlying the 12-step program in order to develop healthy coping skills.
Looking at aspects in their lives where they are powerless and feel unable to manage gives a person insight into their own behaviors. Being able to take responsibility for their lives helps individuals develop a sense of empowerment, which is the ultimate goal of the 12-step program. It is through acknowledging our powerlessness that we become empowered.
What Should I Expect From Treatment?
Clients coming to Turning Point of Tampa for eating disorder treatment can expect a very intense clinical treatment program. We believe in practicing hands-on behavior with all aspects of a person’s recovery. Because of this, all of our eating disorder clients are actively engaged in all aspects of their food plan from the beginning of treatment. For example, a registered dietitian will meet with each client to develop a specific food plan, then clients remain involved in all aspects of menu planning, grocery shopping and food preparation.
Providing treatment in this way ensures that every client receiving treatment here at Turning Point understands and is able to practice the necessary food behaviors for ongoing recovery when they leave the program. Clients can also expect to be involved in body image exercises that will help them learn to love themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.
If you feel that you or someone you love may have an eating disorder, please consider our brief questionnaire.
Useful Community Links
Overeaters Anonymous: www.oa.org
Food Addicts: www.foodaddicts.org
Food Addicts Anonymous: http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org
Levels of Care
At Turning Point of Tampa we offer a comprehensive continuum of care, including primary and extended care programs, intensive outpatient and weekly aftercare groups.
