ABSTRACT
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Addiction affects neurotransmission and interactions within reward structures of the brain. Cravings are a prominent feature of addictions and this is no less the case with processed food addiction (PFA). This chapter discusses "Evidence Review" and "Application." Cravings are for processed foods rather than unprocessed foods. Cravings in PFA may be a more serious issue than in drug addiction. In the process of obtaining abstinent food, recovering food addicts are exposed to intense cues for processed food in grocery stores, restaurants, and even home kitchens. Assessing for cravings is important at the outset of recovery as it will impact key elements of the recovery program. Working directly on cravings desensitization relieves the practitioner of the frustration and distress of assigning tasks that are beyond the capability of the client.
