Episode X:
Smashing Stigma: A New Path to Healing Food Addiction

In this episode of Exception Seekers, Clarissa Kennedy, a passionate advocate for harm reduction and neurodivergence, shares her unique journey of personal and professional transformation. Through her work in addiction, especially in the realm of food addiction, Clarissa explores how neurodivergence can influence behaviours like disordered eating, impulsivity, and addiction. She reflects on her own experiences growing up with a different lens on the world and how she now embraces this difference to help others. Clarissa also discusses the importance of compassion and understanding for individuals who struggle with food addiction, and how breaking down the shame and stigma around these issues can lead to greater healing and personal growth.

Throughout the episode, Clarissa emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and refusing to accept that limitations define who you are.

Important Messages

Shifting away from traditional approaches: Clarissa highlights that traditional methods in addiction treatment often don’t serve everyone, particularly those who don’t fit the mold. Her approach is to smash stigma and offer new, more inclusive solutions.

The role of personal experience in healing: Drawing on her experiences with food addiction, Clarissa acknowledges the complex relationship many people have with food, noting that no two recovery stories are alike. She also emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to protect oneself from triggering behaviors, using the metaphor of keeping food that acts as a bully out of the house to protect peace of mind.

The power of belief in people and possibilities: Clarissa believes in the power of possibility and self-belief. She encourages others to believe in themselves and to understand that anything is possible, even when faced with challenges or overwhelming circumstances.

The need for continued research: Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADD, have a dopamine deficiency, which makes them more vulnerable to addictive behaviours — especially with ultra-processed foods that provide dopamine spikes. Clarissa encourages more research into the connection between neurodiversity, dopamine, and addiction — especially around how certain foods may affect neurodivergent individuals differently than the general population.

Resources Mentioned

• Food Junkies Podcast

• Food Shrinks Podcast

• Sweet Sobriety

Clarissa Kennedy (BSW RSW)

Clarissa Kennedy is a seasoned Clinical Social Worker and a leading voice in addiction recovery, bringing a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. As the founder of Reinvent Your Bliss Point, co-founder of Sweet Sobriety, and co-host of The Food Junkies Podcast and Food Shrinks Podcast, she has spent over 15 years working across residential treatment, outpatient services, and private practice. Her deep understanding of substance use disorders, food addiction, and eating disorders positions her as a trusted advocate and thought leader in the field. Clarissa’s journey through alcohol use disorder, opiate use disorder, food addiction, and eating disorders fuels her compassionate and insightful approach. With her extensive knowledge and firsthand understanding of addiction’s complexities, Clarissa creates a safe, dynamic space for honest dialogue, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.