Addict Quote by Michael Prager
““Black-and-white thinking is the addict's mentality, which can be a bar to recovery when one is still active. But an addict who finds the willingness can then rely on the same trait to stay clean: "Just don't drink," they say in AA. How's that going to work for an addicted eater? Food addicts have to take the tiger out of the cage three times a day. I've read that some drinkers have tried "controlled drinking," and it hasn't been very successful. Eaters don't just have to try it; they must practice it to survive. Having a food plan is an attempt to address that, and having clear boundaries is a key to its working. But the comfort of all or nothing is just out of reach. ... I'm saying that food addicts, unlike alcoholics and may others, have both to try for perfection and to accept that perfection is unattainable, and that the only tool left is a wholesome discipline. The problem is, if we had any clue about wholesome discipline, we wouldn't be addicts.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Recovery Forum Talk, 2015
People with food addiction need realistic, disciplined strategies rather than all‑or‑nothing thinking, because perfection is impossible.
In simple terms: Food addicts must balance effort and acceptance using structured habits.
Key Takeaway
Use clear, flexible plans instead of perfectionism.
Themes
addiction
discipline
balance
recovery
perfectionism
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- daily meal planning
- support groups
- mindful eating
- relapse prevention
Key Concepts
self‑regulation
behavioral change
cognitive flexibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you set realistic boundaries?
- What habits support sustainable change?
A Different Perspective
All‑or‑nothing mindset can cause discouragement and relapse.
