Addiction Quote by Marya Hornbacher
“• Eating disorders are addictions. You become addicted to a number of their effects. The two most basic and important: the pure adrenaline that kicks in when you're starving—you're high as a kite, sleepless, full of a frenetic, unstable energy—and the heightened intensity of experience that eating disorders initially induce. At first, everything tastes and smells intense, tactile experience is intense, your own drive and energy themselves are intense and focused. Your sense of power is very, very intense. You are not aware, however, that you are quickly becoming addicted.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnston, 1997
Eating disorders function like addictions, providing intense adrenaline and heightened sensory experiences that mask their harmful nature.
In simple terms: Eating disorders give a temporary high that hides addiction.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the addictive cycle and seek healthier coping.
Themes
addiction
mental health
body image
self‑control
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
educational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- clinical therapy
- support groups
- personal reflection
- nutritional counseling
Key Concepts
neurochemistry
reward pathways
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What sensations keep you trapped in the cycle?
- How can you replace the high with healthier stimuli?
A Different Perspective
The high can obscure long‑term damage and may be hard to break without professional help.
