Who gets eating disorders? Teenage girls, who read too many magazines? Girls who take diets too far? Girls who want to lose weight, be perfect.... It's about looking good, right? 

The truth is, anyone can develop an eating disorder. Men, women, girls, boys. People do not need to be 'thin' to have an eating disorder. Eating disorders are not about vanity, they are about an individual who is suffering and looking for any way they can to cope. However, coping is surviving, not living. Eating disorders are about self punishment, low self worth, low self esteem and a lack of confidence. They are about not knowing how to live in the world, they are about feeling bad and guilty and un-deserving of life, and never, ever good enough.

The truth is that some of our most profound changes are most likely to begin when we are feeling deeply un-comfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, motivated by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways of being in the world.

The question is: how? How do I change? What will this change look like? What will happen? We can get so stuck on the questions that we feel paralyzed by them. Rilke said: " To have patience with everything unresolved in your heart" to "Love the questions themselves" and finally: "To live your way to the answers".

Sometimes we can know that we are profoundly unhappy, we can know that something needs to change, but we are too scared to make those changes because we don't know what the outcome will look like. We understand that can be scary. We want to reassure you that change does not happen overnight (even if sometimes we want it to). This is reassuring, because it lets us LIVE our way to the answers and to figure things out as we go, at a pace we can accept, one step at a time.

You don't have to know HOW to change, or HOW to make it happen. You do not have to have all of the answers before you begin. You just have to take the first step, and ask for help.

At Cedars we have developed an in-depth, intensive residential treatment program for individuals suffering with eating disorders. We understand addiction, we understand eating disorders and we understand how to effectively treat the individual who is suffering.

Research on eating disorders has shown that there are similarities between many cases of eating disorders and addictive conditions such as alcoholism and drug addiction. The human brain has reward centers and these are normally activated when a person feels well, takes care of the body, behaves sensibly, is praised, is in love, exercises, etc.

It is also possible to stimulate these reward centers by artificial means. Drugs of all kinds forbidden and permitted, produce chemical stimulation which is an important part of the cause of addiction. Stimulation also blocks unpleasant feelings and therefore, those with eating disorders, as well as those with other addictive disorders, may use them to block unbearable feelings.

Healthy people get their stimulation of the reward center by doing good things. They are stimulated by exercise because it is good for the body to get exercise. They are stimulated by eating, because it is good for the body to get nourishment. They are stimulated by being in love, because it is good for the survival of the human race that people mate. They are stimulated when they have achieved something or when they get appraisal because it is good that people do constructive things. However, if the reward centre is stimulated by drugs, alcohol or abuse of food, they cease to function in the way they should. Abuse is a short cut to false happiness, a happiness which doesn't come from doing something good.

Incorrect usage of the reward centers is especially common with people who have a personality requiring a lot of reward effects in order for them to feel well, and also have worry and stress which can be reduced by drugs. There is accordingly a common factor with many types of addiction:

          ·         Alcoholism and drug disorders

          ·         Eating disorders

          ·         Compulsive sex dependence

          ·         Compulsive gambling

          ·         Compulsive exercising

          ·         Self-injury and anorexia nervosa (even body injury can stimulate the reward centre in order to protect the body from pain).

This means that much of what is known about the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction can be used for eating disorders. The patient's own ego must be strengthened and taught to refuse the kind of eating pattern which tempts with quick artificial solutions.

Many eating disorder treatment programs revolve around exposure therapy and psycho-ed groups on the medical consequences of eating disorders. They do not discuss or acknowledge the addictive nature of the disease, or teach the patients of the nature of their addictions. They almost strictly treat the behavior, and not the cause. Many treatments also use punitive measures to treat the behavior of the individual, instead of empowering the individual through education and support to be able to make better choices. The lack of understanding of the nature of addiction and the fact that eating disorders are a different manifestation of addiction is why many people believe that eating disorders are difficult to treat. However, at Cedars we understand the nature of addiction and we understand how to effectively and compassionately treat individuals who are suffering with eating disorders.

Working with the 12 steps and learning about the nature of addiction, an individual who is suffering can have a clear, understandable, compassionate and accessible path to recovery.

Sources, references:

               1.            Addiction and the Eating Disorders, by Caroline Davis, Ph.D., Psychiatric Times, February 2001.

               2.            Eating Disorders and Addiction, by Barton J. Blinder, M.D., Ph.D.; Mary C. Blinder, M.D.; and Visant A. Sanathara, Psychiatric Times, December 1998.

               3.            Personality Characteristics of Females Seeking Treatment for Obesity, Bulimia Nervosa and Alcoholic Disorders, by G. Palme and J. Palme, Personality and individual differences 26(1999), Pergamon Press.

               4.            Eating Disorders, Obesity, Anorexia Nervosa and the Person Within, by Hilde Bruch, 1973., Basic Books, New York.

               5.            Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, Diagnosis, Treatment and the Role of Impulsivity for Long-Term Outcome, by S. Sohlberg. 1987. Acta Universitas Upsaliensis, Uppsala.

               6.            Treatment of severe Obesity, by H. Björvell, 1985. Gustav V-s forskningsinstitut, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

               7.            An explorative study of bulimia and other excessive Behaviours, by C. Bergh, 1988. Thesis, Karolinska Institutet.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says that if someone is alcoholic, he or she is suffering from an illness that "only a spiritual experience can conquer." [p. 44] What does the Big Book mean when it talks about a "spiritual experience" and why do the authors feel that this spiritual experience is so essential for recovery?

Human beings are multi-dimensional - we are physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual beings. Abusing alcohol and/or drugs for any length of time not only harms the physical self, it deeply injures all the other parts, particularly the emotional and spiritual aspects. The more people use drugs to seek refuge from dealing with painful events in their life, the more they get trapped in an endless cycle of feeling bad about themselves and using drugs to escape. As they continue to use drugs they lose their sense of self in relationship with others, and with themselves. In time they lose their ability to take in and enjoy all that is good about being alive.

Thus the Big Book states that people with an addiction illness are suffering from a "spiritual malady" and when that is overcome, people are then able to "straighten out mentally and physically." [p. 64] In order to address the spiritual malady, 12-Step programs take people through a process of healing their inner being or spirit, and for that reason are often described as spiritual programs.

Unfortunately many people new in recovery associate spirituality with religion, and for their own personal reasons are put off working a 12-Step program. However, it is important to keep in mind that spirituality is not the same as religion. Spirituality relates to one's personal search to find greater meaning and purpose in their existence. Religion is often used to describe an organized group or culture that pursues specific teachings and doctrines related to a Higher Power. For some people, religion provides the spiritual structure they need, while for others, participation in an organized group is not a part of their spiritual journey.

Because the illness of addiction leaves people feeling isolated and disconnected, recovery, it can be argued, is about re-connecting with one's inner self and with others. To do that requires undertaking a "spiritual journey" where people can come to feel good about themselves so they can have healthy relationships with others.

In her book, Of Character Building Assets in Recovery, author Denise Crosson says that: "Spirituality is the visible awakening found in the Twelfth Step. It gives us a positive view of ourselves, a strong sense of connection to the world, a sense of purpose in our lives, peace, and a healthy concern for ourselves and others."

Generally, most people on a spiritual search will, at some point, come to see and accept that there is a Higher Power at work in their life. For some the notion of developing a personal relationship with a Higher Power is a challenge at first. The Big Book recognizes this can be a problem: "To one who feels he is an atheist or agnostic such an experience seems impossible, but to continue as he is means disaster, especially if he is an alcoholic of the hopeless variety. To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face." [p.44]

The authors of the Big Book suggest people define their Higher Power or God in a way that makes sense for them. The book states: "Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider another's conception of God. Our own conception, however inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with Him. As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps. We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men." [p. 46]

The key for people coming to terms with the notion of a Higher Power is that their definition of God be loving, caring, and more powerful than their addiction. This allows someone to surrender their addiction to the Higher Power of their understanding and have the trust and faith that they will be able to stay on their path of recovery and work each of the 12 steps.

Step 12 of a 12-Step program states that as a result of working the steps, people will have a spiritual awakening. In the book An Act of Surrender, author Jim Stimson says, "This experience [a spiritual awakening] is different for everyone, but for many people it is a gradual process that happens incrementally as they learn to place their trust in God. For others, a spiritual awakening can be a profound experience that may include some kind of epiphany or deep insight into their life."

The Big Book says that the terms "spiritual experience" and "spiritual awakening" refer to the "personality change sufficient to bring about recovery." [Appendice 1F] In other words, working the steps allows a person to heal their inner spirit and as a result become a different person than who they were during the addictive living.

There is no doubt that the worldwide success of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 Step Programs is a tribute to the fact that working on one's spiritual self is critical to ensuring successful recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

Have you been trying to heal from Emotional Eating? Do you overeat, binge eat and generally soothe yourself with food because:  

•  You feel stressed and struggle with problems in your daily life  
• You find yourself in challenging and changing times
• You feel exhausted and overwhelmed by your present life
• You feel empty inside and out of balance
• You feel anxious

Take a step towards more happiness and ease in your life. Join Ina Stockhausen, a therapist who has helped countless women stop Emotional Eating for 3 days of healing. Gather with other women like you at a residential retreat that promises to change the relationship you have with your body, with food and yourself.

Incorporating art, movement, ritual and the map of Integrative Body Psychotherapy we will explore:

• Changing negative beliefs that you have about yourself that may be holding you back and are impacting your relationship with food  
• Developing tools YOU need to cope with triggers without reverting back to disordered eating
• What you really long for when you reach for food  
• Updating coping strategies you learned during childhood which no longer serve you well
• Making peace with your body and rediscovering your inner Goddess
• Connecting to your birth right to feel good about yourself  
• Finding a new way to eat - connected to your body and your inner voice

Without the responsibilities and business of daily life you will be able to immerse yourself in healing self-exploration, integrating body, mind, emotions and spirit.

This residential Retreat isn't about dieting or weight loss. It is about addressing the underlying issues that drive emotional eating and re-evaluating your connection with food. It is also about connecting with other women.

Location: Cedars at Cobble Hill Residential Treatment Centre

September 23rd - 25th, 2011

 The Retreat will begin Friday September 23rd at 10 am and finish Sunday September 25th at 2 pm.

 Retreat Cost:

$ 495.00 - Registration Fee includes all the workshop material, 2 nights accommodations at Cedars and all meals.

click here for more details & to request a registration package, space is limited!