WASHINGTON — It’s not uncommon for many who are recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction to become hooked on another substance: sugar.
Dr. Pamela Peeke, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland and author of “The Hunger Fix,” says drugs alter the brain’s dopamine receptors — the neurochemicals responsible for detecting pleasure — and it takes a while for the altered receptors to get back to normal.
To obtain the same high once achieved by drugs, many turn to sugar to stimulate the receptors.
“When you’re detoxing and going into recovery and coming off that stuff, your brain still wants to get right on back up there again,” Peeke says.
During the initial recovery time, Peeke says former addicts are susceptible to transfer addictions.
“One of the most common things, especially to people who have been on stimulants, for instance, like cocaine, methamphetamine, Adderall
