"The DRAGON"

I heard someone share once that alcohol was a dragon that alcoholics had to put in a closet. That the difference between alcoholics & coe's is that while alcoholics can put the dragon in the closet and forget it food addicts have to take the dragon out for a walk 3 times a day. I know this can be used as a justification for "playing with food" and for bingeing and losing abstinence. In my opinion it's an excuse (one I used to use often) for giving in to the disease. It is my disease, speaking to me, luring me. "Hey Amy, who are you kidding? This food thing is forever. You can't ever get away from food. You HAVE to eat it 3 times a day at least! And who are you fooling. If you have to keep eating it you will eventually give in to the binge. So why try what you are destined to fail at? Just go ahead & give in already. Be sensible!!" But the thing is, that thinking is a lie!! Alcoholics drink EVERY DAY! Just like coe's/food addicts eat every day. But alcoholics in recovery DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL! And coe's/fa's in recovery don't eat their binge & trigger foods. It really is a simple equation. I have tried wrestling with that dragon before....the dragon always wins!! Now, I choose not to fight with the dragon. I eat the foods that aren't on my binge list. This way I don't trigger the physical craving for foods that will kill me. I stay away from dangerous people & dangerous places. That way I don't obsess about food. I don't skip meals so that my body doesn't get so hungry I trigger "survival - eat everything in sight" mode. I do what those who have successfully recovered did. And now I'm recovering too. I understand the need to think that food addiction is different and harder to recover from than any other addiction. The need is my disease wanting to feed itself. Wanting to survive. The need is desperation, desperation to live doing anything it can to not die. Fortunately for me my desperation to live, survive, my need to do anything neccessary to sustain my life, is stronger than my diseases needs and wants. I believe that is due to HP. The dragon is still there. I need it to be there so I remember everyday that I am a food addict. I need to never forget that certain foods are no longer for me. That I am different in that way from others. That difference isn't good or bad, it just is. But it makes the dragon neccessary. But the thing is, while I see the dragon daily, recognize it's presence, remember that it is dangerous, I don't play with it. The dragon is someone else's toy now. The dragon isn't for me to play with anymore.