Carl Anderson, PhD, and his colleagues found that repeated sexual abuse affects the blood flow and function of a key brain region related to substance abuse, the cerebellar vermis. This part of the brain affects coordination of emotional behavior and is very sensitive to stress hormones. This area also is strongly affected by alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs. It also may help regulate dopamine, a neurotransmitter critically involved in addiction. "Damage to this area of the brain may cause an individual to be particularly irritable, and to seek external means, such as drugs or alcohol, to quell this irritability," said Anderson.
(Information from McLean Hospital)

According to The Child Welfare League of America; children whose parents abuse alcohol and other drugs are three times more likely to be abused and more than four times more likely to be neglected than children from non-abusing families. Substance abuse exists in 40 to 80 percent of families in which the children are victims of abuse.

Food addiction is not unlike other substance addictions in that it is a physiological and psychological occurrance. Psychologically, food addiction involves the mind being  preoccupied with thoughts of food and the pleasure of consuming it. It also includes intense thoughts such as body weight, body image, restricting intake of food and self control.The normal weight person may not be obvious at a glance but inside they can be obsessed with food. Thoughts and/or impulses may be wildly out of control.Persons with this addiction are constantly suffering. Physically, studies are showing that milk and wheat proteins contain narcotic like effects. Most of us have heard about the routine of drinking milk before bedtime. These chemicals mimic the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins, and have thus been termed “exorphins.”And chocolate?  Many people recognize how sweet it is. Chocolate is becoming well known for the rush it gives and the boosting effects it has on depression. Unfortunately, when consumed in excess, the pleasurable feelings are quickly superceded by remorse, shame, guilt and sometimes sickness. The pattern becomes set as with all addictions and the consumer turns again for the short term source of pleasure; food.


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