One of the criteria for diagnosing a substance use disorder is risky use. This means that you continuous use despite negative effects over own health, and reduced control over consumption, such as using the substance in situations where it is physically hazardous, like driving or operating machinery, or that you continue to use it despite having persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems that are caused or worsened by the substance.
How does Risky Use indicate food addiction?
As food addiction severity progresses, some people may develop an unhealthy relationship with food consumption just like a substance use disorder.
- They may binge on large amounts of food in secret,
- feel guilty or ashamed after eating, or
- have difficulty controlling their food intake.
- They may also eat foods that affect their brain chemistry and behavior, and
- be unable to regulate their consumption of individually identified trigger foods and those that are high in fat, sugar, or salt, which can have negative effects on their health, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or dental problems.
They may continue to consume these foods in unhealthy and unregulated ways and quantities despite knowing the risks or having medical complications.