Barney Reason is a recovering food addict who has also overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, and compulsive behaviors. His journey began early—he had his first drink at age 7 and got sober from alcohol by 25 years old. But as the alcohol stopped, his food addiction escalated, leading him to a peak weight of 365 pounds. 

Barney grew up in a deeply unstable environment, marked by abuse, neglect, and chaos—he lived in 16 different homes in 16 years. As a child, his emotions, especially anger, were not welcomed or validated. In response, he turned to food, substances, and compulsive behaviors to soothe his anxiety and numb his pain. 

For years, Barney sought relief from overwhelming feelings, not realizing that the intensity of his emotions was part of being human. Today, he embraces those feelings, knowing they pass, and feels more alive than ever. 

Barney’s recovery has been long and difficult, but he now uses his experience to help others find hope and healing through 12-step recovery. Barney became a Certified Food Addiction Professional (https://infactschool.com/treatment-certification-program/) through the the INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/)

He is on staff at SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn (https://foodaddiction.com/) a food addiction treatment program which is committed to supporting people recover from food addiction and lead better lives.    He helps with SHiFT’s Intensive Treatment program, where attendees learn to experience sobriety from addictive eating, along with the incredible new freedom.   

Barney Reason’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, transformation, and the possibility of achieving lasting freedom from addiction, as well as the gifts of helping others recover.

David Wolfe is a certified food addiction counselor and co-founder of SUGARx Global (https://www.sugarxglobal.com/), an online community dedicated to helping individuals overcome sugar and food addictions. David has been instrumental in developing impactful programs that support people successfully finding freedom from addictive food behaviors. He is also the co-author of The Fix For Cravings (https://tinyurl.com/yhnnnc3x) with Cynthia Myers-Morrison a book offering practical strategies and insights for managing cravings and maintaining long-term recovery.

David emphasizes community support, connection, and comprehensive lifestyle changes in the recovery journey. His approach blends professional expertise with personal experience to provide holistic, compassionate support for those struggling with food and sugar addiction.

At SUGARx Global, trained counselors use assessments to help clients identify patterns of food and sugar use and cravings. Many clients arrive after trying countless approaches and suffering the painful consequences of food addiction. Through personalized tools and counseling, clients begin to recognize the addictive nature of certain foods and behaviors. The process often uncovers layers of denial, shame, and guilt, creating space for acceptance and willingness to heal. Counselors guide clients to plan, prepare, and remove trigger foods, which are essential steps toward recovery.

David also addresses common misconceptions about food addiction, urging patients to educate their healthcare providers on this often misunderstood condition. He highlights the power of group support, emphasizing how shared vulnerability and collective momentum within groups can drive lasting change.

Although David’s personal story is not one of obesity, he struggled with obsessive and compulsive food thoughts and behaviors. It wasn’t until he attended the The INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) that he fully realized his own patterns of food addiction.

This episode offers valuable, educational insights into what food addiction is, how to recognize it, and how to recover—making it essential listening for anyone seeking understanding, hope, and actionable solutions.

Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota brings a unique blend of expertise as a practicing clinician, data specialist, researcher, and educator at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the largest university in Latin America.

The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) (https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/fastlab/yale-food-addiction-scale/) is the most widely used food addiction screening tool worldwide. Dr. Soto-Mota utilized another food addiction screening technique, CRAVED (https://the-chc.org/assets/uploads/CRAVED%20Introduction%20and%20Notes%20for%20the%20User_Update_240506.pdf), a shorter yet effective screening method, in his research. His study distinguishes between binge-eating disorder and food addiction, highlighting key differences. While binge-eating disorder is recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual, food addiction as a substance use disorder is not—an important distinction. 

Having experienced childhood obesity himself, Dr. Soto-Mota understands the personal impact of food addiction and is deeply committed to addressing the ongoing childhood obesity crisis in Mexico.

In May 2024, he participated in the IFACC conference in London, where he signed a groundbreaking Consensus Statement (https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a00ee3aa6c.html). This agreement, developed by 40 experts over many months, recognizes ultra-processed food addiction as a substance use disorder. The next IFACC London Conference is set for 2025: IFACC London Conference 2025 (https://the-chc.org/fas/conference),

Dr. Soto-Mota emphasizes that while food addiction is not our fault, we have a personal responsibility to acknowledge it and take steps toward recovery to live healthier, fuller lives. Tune in to this insightful episode.

Sachir Ajlouni’s incredible journey from obesity and food addiction to recovery is a story of hope and transformation. Weighing 450 pounds at his heaviest, Sachir spent over 30 years trapped in a cycle of compulsive overeating and failed attempts at weight loss, including bariatric surgery. It wasn’t until he entered SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn (https://foodaddiction.com/) a food addiction recovery program that he realized the true nature of his struggle: it wasn’t just about his weight or eating habits—it was his addiction to food that had been controlling his life. After seeing success from others, he entered a food addiction program where he met Phil Werdell (https://www.foodaddictioninstitute.org/post/in-loving-memory), founder of SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn.   

Through his own recovery, Sachir lost 250 pounds and gained a deeper understanding of how food can be as addictive as alcohol or drugs. He now devotes his life to helping others break free from the chains of food addiction through Aglon Recovery (https://aglonrecovery.com/), a center he founded to offer support and healing. 

Sachir’s workshops help people recognize that food addiction is real and that overcoming it requires more than just willpower. It’s about understanding the emotional and psychological drivers behind eating behaviors and taking responsibility for recovery once the problem is recognized. 

If you’re struggling with your own relationship with food, or if you know someone who is, this podcast offers an opportunity to hear firsthand how recovery is possible. Sachir’s story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, support, and commitment to change. Tune in to listen to an inspiring account of resilience and recovery—and learn how you, too, can begin your journey toward healing. 

Dr. Bonnie Nolan holds a PhD in neuroscience and is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. With expertise in both neuroscience and psychotherapy, she works on the front lines of opioid addiction, understanding the brain's dopamine response to addictive substances. She also recognizes how genetics, environment, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression contribute to addiction.

Having struggled with alcohol addiction herself, Dr. Nolan has been in recovery for years, seeing addiction’s prevalence in her large family. Her experience at the The INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) led her to identify as a food addict, a diagnosis confirmed by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_Food_Addiction_Scale). She believes ultra-processed foods should be included in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V)of the American Psychiatric Association as a substance use disorder.

Dr. Nolan’s work focuses on the link between childhood trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and addiction, with many clients unaware of or minimizing past traumas. She leads group recovery courses, including one for women with food addiction, where she helps them process trauma and gain control over what they can change. Dr. Nolan has witnessed the brain’s ability to reset and the potential to reverse the dopamine response to addictive substances through recovery practices.  Dr. Nolan has witnessed firsthand the possibility of reversing the dopamine response to ingesting substances through recovery practices.  This podcast episode is excellent and delves into Dr. Nolan’s unique blend of education, professional expertise, and personal experience in addiction and treatment.

The INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) is the only school in the world that teaches students about the science of food addiction and how to treat it.  Graduates receive a Certified Food Addiction Professional (CFAP) which is recognized in Europe and the U.S.  This seven-month virtual training program involves speakers and many top professionals who study the disease of food addiction. Students are taught screening, assessments and intake technique processes involving looking at behaviors and addiction genealogy. They are trained in counseling and treatment for abstinence and the reversal of personality changes that happen as a person becomes addicted to a substance. 

The guest is the podcast owner and highly respected pioneer and school’s founder, Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir, a recovered food addict who released 130 lbs. to achieve a healthy weight through abstinence and working a 12-step food addiction recovery program.  She then knew what her life’s mission would be: help other food addicts by opening a treatment center in Iceland and beginning the INFACT School.  Over 130 students have graduated from the school, with new classes offered in March and September each year.  

We discuss the science behind food addiction, which is just like the addiction to alcohol and drugs: a dopamine response, and over time, experiencing higher tolerance, using more of the substance despite negative consequences. Late-stage food addicts are often obese with obesity-related health issues and cannot stop on their own from eating the offending foods, and once they start, they have difficulty stopping.  

37 clinicians, researchers, and academics throughout the world have reached an agreement that food addiction, specifically ultra-processed food addiction, is a substance use disorder.  The International Food Addiction Consensus (IFAC) (https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a00ee3aa6c.html) met in London, U.K. in May 2024, and a conference is planned in Mexico City in September 2025 as the application is being submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) to be placed in the International Classification of Disease, (ICD) to place ultra-processed food addiction as a substance use disorder, in the ICD.

Esther believes in complete abstinence from sugar and addictive foods, along with treatment and recovery programs to recover from food addiction. Her work and that of the school have been impactful and revolutionary.  Listen to this wonderful interview with Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir. Yale Food Addiction Scale https://infactschool.com/yale-food-addiction-survey/

Christine G. was raised in an alcoholic home and was often compared by her parents to a sibling and was expected to be different. As a child, she began using food to cope with this treatment and she reached her highest body weight of 229.  Her lowest weight was 95 pounds as she suffered many years with bulimia and food addiction. At the age of 13, Christine experienced a traumatic personal violation and didn’t tell anyone for many years. In her addiction, she used food and bulimic behaviors to deal with feelings.  

To the people in her life, she appeared to have it all together yet became masterful in secretly using food and vomiting daily. It was not until she became honest by facing reality in a residential treatment program for food addiction, SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn, (SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn // https://foodaddiction.com/) Here she spoke the truth about her bulimia and began to take action and recover.   

Today Christine is open and honest about her food use and bulimic tendencies as she works a food program recovery program (Food Recovery Programs // https://infactschool.com/groups/). Christine lives a simpler, quieter life and has learned to love herself as she lives in the present moment at peace with no more secrets. 

Large food companies, previously owned by tobacco companies, know that we are addicted to sugar and ultra-processed foods.  These companies are making large profits using the same tobacco addiction model with items they are selling us to eat. Food companies add sugars to food items, like high fructose corn syrup, and 250 other sugars to the engineered items they call food.  Meanwhile, the U.S. population is over 50 percent obese with many health problems and our children are becoming addicted to sugar and these chemically-altered items.

We are made to feel like it is our fault as food addicts, by these food companies and by medical professionals, that we just need to eat less and exercise more to lose weight and become healthy. Sugar and highly processed foods cause a dopamine release in our brains identical to other addictive substances like alcohol and drugs causing us to become addicted. 

Dr. Nicole Avena and Dr. Erica LaFata, are two professionals who have made it their life’s work to raise awareness about our sugar and ultra-processed food addiction. Dr. Avena’s book Sugarless, Book, Dr. Nicole Avena, and Dr. Erica LaFata’s research using the Yale Food Addiction Scale  have helped progress our understanding of what is actually going on.  Dr. Avena and Dr. LaFata presented their findings at the International Food Addiction Consensus Conference (IFAC) held in London, May, 2024.  Professionals gathered at this conference and reached a consensus: Ultra-processed foods should be recognized in the International Classifications of Diseases (ICD) and the APA’s (DSM), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a substance-use disorder, identical to alcohol and drugs.  The only question now is:  As a society, how long will it take for us to see the truth?  That we are ADDICTED:  to sugar and ultra-processed foods …..and they are killing us.  And how many millions must die as our country spends billions on obesity-related illnesses for us to recognize that we are addicted to sugar and ultra-processed foods? It is not our fault.  There is a problem and there is a solution.  

Doris R. grew up in an alcoholic household and as the oldest of five children had a lot of responsibility early in her life. She was responsible for taking care of her younger siblings while her mother worked. Her father was an alcoholic, and her mother was obese and used food. Her first diet was in the 4th grade. A recovered alcoholic, after Doris became sober and her food use increased.  She realized that she needed to eliminate addictive foods from her diet and has since reached and maintained a healthy weight by realizing that abstinence from sugar and highly processed foods was necessary yet was just the start. She learned she also needed to recover from her food addiction as she entered the treatment program SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn (foodaddiction.com). She has experienced a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual transformation and recovery.  As a recovered food addict, rather than using food to deal with emotions she feels the emotions and uses her recovery program to handle life situations.  Listen to this great episode!

Before recovery, Raena Z. weighed 315 pounds and today she is a recovered food addict which over a 100-lb weight release. As an overweight child, she recalls liking food more than others and using food to manage her emotions. In this episode, Raena shares an experience from high school that caused her incredible shame.  After she married and gave birth to her son, her weight continued to climb higher.   Eating in secrecy, she could not stop once she began and finally realized her powerlessness and how her compulsive food behaviors were affecting her life.  In November 2017 after surrendering to her powerlessness and escaping denial of her food addiction, Raena entered an intensive residential treatment program and began physical and emotional recovery. Today she lives freely of food obsession, compulsivity, and addiction as she has experienced recovery using a 12-step recovery program.   She cites all the support she uses to remain abstinent from overeating including fellowship with others. Listen in to this incredible story of addiction and recovery!