Dr. Vera Ingrid Tarman, MD, MSc, FCFP, ABAM, Specialist in Addiction medicine
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Vera Ingrid Tarman is a world-renown Food Addiction expert, who writes, speaks, and treats people struggling with Food Addiction. Dr. Tarman has conducted numerous workshops, spoken as a guest, and has been the co-host of two TV addiction call-in series (Addictions Unplugged, and Toronto Speaks: Addiction).
She is the author of "Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction.” This is the standard text used in school, food addiction programs, and courses. She also spearheaded the first inpatient and outpatient programs in Canada for food addiction.
A medical pioneer in the field of compulsive overeating and food addiction, she has treated over 100 food addiction patients in the last few years.
Dr. Tarman's main goal is to put food addiction 'on the table' of services offered to people suffering from addictions. As a recovering food addict herself, Dr. Tarman knows that freedom from food addiction is food serenity.
WORKSHOPS
Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction
Speakers: Clarissa Kennedy RSW, FAC, SUGAR Certified, Mental Health/Addictions Certification, Molly Painschab LCPC, LAC, FAC, Dr. Vera Ingrid Tarman, MD, MSc, FCFP, ABAM, Specialist in Addiction medicine
In our field we have seen a rise in cases in regards to the additional emotional eating behaviour of ultra-processed foods during the COVID-19 isolation. Food addiction is a lifestyle and health concern confronting men and women of all ages and from all walks of life. Significant emotional, physical and relationship trauma can result from the inability to manage a healthy relationship with food.
In this session Dr. Vera Tarman will explain the science behind Food Addiction from a clinical perspective. She will address how obesity is a metabolic issue and how that relates to the bodies hormonal structure and the neurochemistry involved. She highlights: Normal Hunger and Satiety, Ghrelin, Insulin, Leptin, Cortisol, The Limbic / Reward Pathway and the how our Neurotransmitters: Dopamine, serotonin, endorphin are involved in Food Addiction.
Molly and Clarissa will demonstrate how to support clients identifying with Food Addiction. They will present assessment and screening tools, speak about abstinent and withdrawal, abstinent food plans, recovery and craving management, addiction interaction disorder, and relapse prevention. They will also share resources to help connect clients with free support groups and introduce them to the Food Addiction Professional Community for additional information and education on the topic.
Key Take-aways
- Food Addiction Syndrome: The Clinical Perspective
- Basic practical suggestions regarding how you can help potentially food addicted patients at each of the progressive stages of the disease.
- How to utilize the screening protocol for Food Addiction (UNCOPE, Yale Food Addiction Scale, Diagnostic Tool SUGAR) and how to connect clients to the appropriate resources.