Comments on: Is abuse ‘Abuse,’ or is it substance-dependent? http://nathandiehl.com/2007/05/30/is-abuse-abuse-or-is-it-substance-dependent/ a journal of one Christ-following digerati wannabe. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:26:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Todd Helmkamp http://nathandiehl.com/2007/05/30/is-abuse-abuse-or-is-it-substance-dependent/#comment-1048 Todd Helmkamp Wed, 30 May 2007 14:47:36 +0000 http://www.nathandiehl.com/2007/05/30/is-abuse-abuse-or-is-it-substance-dependent/#comment-1048 Its absolutely abuse. Food is intended as fuel for the body to carry out its tasks, whatever they may be (from motion to metabolism, and everything else too). Abuse is defined as "wrong or improper use" by dictionary.com. Therefore, eating more food than required to fuel the body, is abuse. Now, there is a difference between occasional abuse (such as eating a bit too much at Thanksgiving) and having a food addiction such that a person becomes obese (however, science has recently discovered that there may be, in some people, genetic links to obesity, but this is a very small portion of the populace. Most of the time, it is because of poor diet, overeating, and a sedentary lifestyle). I weigh 30 pounds more than I did when I got married 10 months ago. This is wrong, and unhealthy. So I am taking steps to kick this, just like I did with smoking cigarettes and abusing alcohol. This is a major problem in America, and the church needs to acknowledge this issue, because it kills many more people than alcohol abuse (through heart disease, etc.). And Carma, walking the dog is actually a healthy response to your stressors, rather than changing your object of abuse. Rather than abusing something, you are taking action increase your health and strengthen your character. Good job!!! Its absolutely abuse. Food is intended as fuel for the body to carry out its tasks, whatever they may be (from motion to metabolism, and everything else too).

Abuse is defined as “wrong or improper use” by dictionary.com.

Therefore, eating more food than required to fuel the body, is abuse.

Now, there is a difference between occasional abuse (such as eating a bit too much at Thanksgiving) and having a food addiction such that a person becomes obese (however, science has recently discovered that there may be, in some people, genetic links to obesity, but this is a very small portion of the populace. Most of the time, it is because of poor diet, overeating, and a sedentary lifestyle).

I weigh 30 pounds more than I did when I got married 10 months ago. This is wrong, and unhealthy. So I am taking steps to kick this, just like I did with smoking cigarettes and abusing alcohol.

This is a major problem in America, and the church needs to acknowledge this issue, because it kills many more people than alcohol abuse (through heart disease, etc.).

And Carma, walking the dog is actually a healthy response to your stressors, rather than changing your object of abuse. Rather than abusing something, you are taking action increase your health and strengthen your character. Good job!!!

]]> By: Carma http://nathandiehl.com/2007/05/30/is-abuse-abuse-or-is-it-substance-dependent/#comment-1046 Carma Wed, 30 May 2007 13:59:22 +0000 http://www.nathandiehl.com/2007/05/30/is-abuse-abuse-or-is-it-substance-dependent/#comment-1046 I think that anything anyone uses to cope with life could be considered abuse. If they turn to alcohol to cope with a bad day, or if they turn to food, whats the difference? I do think that the range of abuse differs depending on what is being abused. I used to eat everything in site when I was upset. I have now started "abusing" walking the dog. If I have had a bad day, instead of coming home and snacking, I get the dog and we walk until I am able to relax and go home. I am not abusing it to the extent that it is interferring with my life, but I have altered my abusive strategy. I no longer turn to food, but to the dog. I think that anything anyone uses to cope with life could be considered abuse. If they turn to alcohol to cope with a bad day, or if they turn to food, whats the difference? I do think that the range of abuse differs depending on what is being abused. I used to eat everything in site when I was upset. I have now started “abusing” walking the dog. If I have had a bad day, instead of coming home and snacking, I get the dog and we walk until I am able to relax and go home. I am not abusing it to the extent that it is interferring with my life, but I have altered my abusive strategy. I no longer turn to food, but to the dog.

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