Is it possible to be addicted to sugar? I am 80 lbs overweight and diabetic, 59 years old. I walk and exercise when I can (I have arthritis in my knees) but I can’t lose the weight. Most of it is around my waist and I don’t know what to do. I get the shakes until I have something sweet usually to drink. I don’t know what to do. Thank you

In a word: no. It is not possible to be addicted to sugar. Your body reacts the way it does sometimes because of your diabetes, not because of an addiction to sugar. Clearly your health would improve tremendously with increased activity and weight reduction. Because of the seriousness of these issues, your health insurance would almost certainly cover much of the costs (assuming you're not in an HMO or on Medicaid). If you're in the Chicago area, please give us a call: 312-245-3120. If not, you're best bet is to get involved with a cognitive-behavior therapist with expertise in weight loss (see :find a therapist at abct.org) or join a non-professional program like Weight Watchers or Take Off Pounds Sensibly. You could also read more about a scientifically based approach: my book - The Healthy Obsession Program, 2006 - Kirschenbaum. Good luck, Dan