Addictions?

[Ken70]

We really let it all hang out on this forum don't we

I need some advice. I have been gluten-free for 6 months and CF for maybe 2 months. I am still working through all of this but I feel dramatically different and will never go back.

Like all of you, I have had to give up a variety of things to eat. Now that I believe I can drink wine and eat dark chocolate and Lays potato chips I have been overindulging a bit.

I have read somewhere that there are "addictive" properties to foods that have something to do with food intolerances. I cant seem to find them again though.

My biggest problem is that I cant seem to stop at two glasses of wine. I HAVE to drink more which usually means opening another bottle. My world class hangovers are gone now that I am Gluten-free Casein-free but maybe it was precisely those hangovers that kept me in check all of these years.

I don't want to quit drinking wine but I feel like I'm playing with fire. Any thoughts?

[bluejeangirl]

My addictions have been bread, bakery donuts, and beer. Interesting isn't it. I thought it was a yeast thing but now I don't know. Rice bread has yeast in it and I can stop at one piece. Lets face it wheat taste good, but I'm pretty sure I was also addicted to it.

Gail

[cruelshoes]

I can't speak to being addicted to other things, but studies have shown that gluten has opiate effects. The link below relates to gluten ingestion and autism. The opiate effects of gluten may help explain why it is so hard for some people to give up.

Open Original Shared Link

Gluten intolerance, in Autism, is thought to be related to the incomplete digestion and breakdown of proteins. Normally, proteins are digested by enzymes in the intestines and are broken down into long chain amino acids. With maldigestion, short chains of these amino acids, known as peptides, will develop in excess amounts and enter the bloodstream. Peptides from proteins such as gluten and casein, called "exorphins," are biologically active. They interact with opiate receptors in the brain and have the same effects as opiate drugs like heroin and morphine and are also addictive. There are 15 opioid sequences in one molecule of gluten. (13) In fact, the peptides can be up to 30 times more potent than morphine.

[DonnaD777-777]

I used to have the same problem...I couldn't stop with one bottle...I still drink wine about 3-4 times a week, but stop after 2 or 3 glasses. I stopped craving as much wine when i stopped eating carbohydrates when drinking wine. If i drink wine, i've either eaten fruit all day or I drink it with protein meals such as cheese, salmon, chicken, ect...with no crackers or veggies. It has helped a lot, and if i get a sweet toothe after drinking a couple of glasses, I eat as much ice cream as my heart desires (because it is primary diary, a protein). After ice cream, i'm pretty much done with wine. Before i would eat chocolate, cookies, and other deserts that just made me crave more wine. it might be worth a try. On the fruit days with wine, i usually loose 3-4 pounds!!!! So you can drink and still loose weight!!!

[ravenwoodglass]

We really let it all hang out on this forum don't we

I need some advice. I have been gluten-free for 6 months and CF for maybe 2 months. I am still working through all of this but I feel dramatically different and will never go back.

Like all of you, I have had to give up a variety of things to eat. Now that I believe I can drink wine and eat dark chocolate and Lays potato chips I have been overindulging a bit.

I have read somewhere that there are "addictive" properties to foods that have something to do with food intolerances. I cant seem to find them again though.

My biggest problem is that I cant seem to stop at two glasses of wine. I HAVE to drink more which usually means opening another bottle. My world class hangovers are gone now that I am Gluten-free Casein-free but maybe it was precisely those hangovers that kept me in check all of these years.

I don't want to quit drinking wine but I feel like I'm playing with fire. Any thoughts?

Your playing with fire, the fact that you are consuming in excess of a bottle of wine with no hangover is a red flag in itself. You need to find a way to curb this habit. Something that may help is not having a second bottle in the house. If you don't find it too repulsive making the wine into 'coolers' with the addition of a soda or sparkling water can make you feel like you are still drinking but lessen the amount of alcohol you are taking in. Even if you do not have a genetic predisposition to alcoholism you can find yourself an habitual alcoholic just as easily. In addition celiacs can have impaired liver and kidney function which may not become obvious until it is unrepairable if aggravated by to much alcohol. Because of this we also may not metabolize alcohol as quickly as a 'regular' person. This can lead to a drunk driving charge the morning after drinking if a blood alcohol level should be checked in the event of a traffic accident.

If I seem a bit strong in my warnings there is a real good reason for it. I lost my twin brother to autoimmune liver destruction excaberated by alcohol. He was 15 when we were told his liver was gone. It was then to late. Be careful, sometimes damage isn't obvious until it is too late to fix.

[Ken70]

Your playing with fire, the fact that you are consuming in excess of a bottle of wine with no hangover is a red flag in itself. You need to find a way to curb this habit. Something that may help is not having a second bottle in the house. If you don't find it too repulsive making the wine into 'coolers' with the addition of a soda or sparkling water can make you feel like you are still drinking but lessen the amount of alcohol you are taking in. Even if you do not have a genetic predisposition to alcoholism you can find yourself an habitual alcoholic just as easily. In addition celiacs can have impaired liver and kidney function which may not become obvious until it is unrepairable if aggravated by to much alcohol. Because of this we also may not metabolize alcohol as quickly as a 'regular' person. This can lead to a drunk driving charge the morning after drinking if a blood alcohol level should be checked in the event of a traffic accident.

If I seem a bit strong in my warnings there is a real good reason for it. I lost my twin brother to autoimmune liver destruction excaberated by alcohol. He was 15 when we were told his liver was gone. It was then to late. Be careful, sometimes damage isn't obvious until it is too late to fix.

I'm sharing with mywife but the issue is the same. The lack of a hangover is great but dangerous.

I am sorry to hear about your brother. I have 6 month old twins and a 3 year old and a 4 year old.....so no wonder I have a potential drinking problem.

[ravenwoodglass]

I'm sharing with mywife but the issue is the same. The lack of a hangover is great but dangerous.

I am sorry to hear about your brother. I have 6 month old twins and a 3 year old and a 4 year old.....so no wonder I have a potential drinking problem.

Oh goodness you must be busy. Try to insure that you get some excercise and me time every day. It is important for both Mom and Dad. I had freinds who had 'jogging' strollers but just closing the blinds and dancing in the living room was my favorite stress relief. You need to find a way to reward yourselves that is relaxing and gives good tension relief. Hard as it is to believe there will come a day when you miss all the chaos life is giving you now.

The fact that you realized that you might be developing a problem shows that you have the ability and will to not develop it. That is a real good sign. Even those that have a predisposition to addiction problems still have a choice, if they recognize things before they get out of hand.