Disordered eating behavior can be and is considered by many to be addictive behaviors.  Substances or behavior that is classified as potentially addictive generally causes a rapid change or shift in one’s emotional state.  While there are those who have no understanding of eating disorders the behavior of restricting, binging, and purging provides an immediate emotional shift for the sufferer.  Additionally research tells us that the behavior themselves causes chemical shifts in the brain chemistry.  Hence participating in these behaviors can and is often considered addiction.  (NOTE:  Eating disorders are also very different from other addictions like drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gambling, or excessive spending.  In all of these other addictions the substances are not needed to sustain life as food is.  Humans can live when totally withdrawn from their addictive substances – people cannot live without their primary fuel for existence - food.  This makes the recovery much more difficult and complicated indeed as states earlier.)

Initially no one chooses to be an addict!  A lot, if not most of us are addicted to something.  Some addictions are positive and do not get in the way of a productive full life.  Others are self destructive and do not allow for growth.  If someone is locked into a passive reactionary state they end up having little control of their own life.  Since an eating disordered behavior become apparently addictive and addictions are reactionary states.  Personal control feels unattainable and unattractive to the individual. 

Addiction is the internal/external expression of ‘choicelessness’.  Life is a constant series of choices.  Making choices brings back control and is empowering.  There are things in life that cannot be controlled, like other people, their choices, or behavior.  There are many things that can be controlled specifically ourselves and our behavior.  Here is an example:  My son may be angry and attempt through yelling to start a fight with me.  I can choose not to respond to him by yelling and fighting back.  The chances are my choice of not fighting may also affect his choice.  No one can fight alone.  I hope this example clearly shows that I do not have to be a victim to my son’s anger.  If I had not made that choice I might be just reacting to his abuse.  I might be a victim.  Addiction provides no available choices.  Beginning to make choices is valuable skill to learn and be utilized as a coping skill.  Beginning to consciously make choices returns some balance to the individual and allows for the beginning of establishing boundaries for the self and others in one’s life.