Because we need food to survive, our desire to eat is hardwired into our brains. Craving food when you are hungry or getting pleasure from a delicious meal are, of course, perfectly normal experiences. But for some, it goes beyond that. People who suffer from food addiction binge eat uncontrollably, often until they are painfully full. This usually involves high-fat or high-sugar foods that trigger a pleasurable dopamine release or ‘high’. But this high is always followed by a crash-landing, and then they feel worse than they did in the first place – and the self-loathing that results starts the cycle all over again.

If this sounds familiar, we want you to know that there is hope – and we can help. Though food addiction can sometimes feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, the truth is that with a comprehensive treatment programme and robust support network, you can recover for good.