Support group helps patients battle food addiction

It is not medically diagnosed, but the help to battle food addiction exists.

In El Paso, Sierra Providence’s Bariatric Center helps patients deal with food addiction, overeating and obesity.

Michelle Collins, a registered bariatric nurse at Sierra Providence, is part of the support group that meets monthly at the Bariatric Center.

Collins said many patients enter the support group in denial or not aware they are addicted to food.

“We do psychological testing, we help them see their shortcomings. We encourage them to come to the center for dietary counseling.” said Collins.

The signs of food addiction can be subtle said Collins.

“It may be as subtle as wanting to eat often and when they eat it releases dopamine into their system. They may eat more frequently and crave more food, said Collins.

“It’s a vicious cycle,” she added.

One of the major signs, weight increase.

Victoria Bruce lost over a hundred pounds with the help of bariatric surgery, but the challenge was not over.

“I think the first time I realized I had a problem with food addiction, my husband pointed it out,” said Bruce.

“I chose to have weight loss surgery and I thought ‘that’s going to cure everything’, and he said if you don’t address the reasons you emotionally overeat you’ll trade being skinny to being depressed,” she said.

Bruce’s husband did not want a depressed wife, so she has attended every meeting since her surgery.

The support center offers psychologists. dietitians, counselors and trainers to help patients.

Collins said there is often round table discussions with experts and patients.

“It’s helpful to see you’re not the only one. That’s what’s hard about this addiction, it’s very isolating. When you start to pull away, it’s gets worse,” said Bruce.

“People get to meet others who are having the same issues they are. No matter what your question is somebody else has experienced that,” said Collins.

The bariatric support group meets every third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

It is located at 1250 E. Cliff, Suite 1-C.

For more information, call (915) 577-7930.