Today I Have Peace and Neutrality Around Food

Mike Fetherston has walked a long, humbling road through addiction and recovery—one that includes alcohol, drugs, and food. His journey began early: by age 2.5, he was already using food and food behaviors to cope, saying he "loved food and wanted to feel as full as he could feel." His childhood was marked by discomfort and emotional instability, and food became an early form of escape. He later developed bulimia, purging up to 20 times a day, and faced life-threatening consequences from both substance use and disordered eating. Mike got sober from drugs and alcohol in 2005. In 2008, he entered his first 12-step food recovery program, beginning a difficult but transformative chapter. He often says food was the hardest—harder even than drugs or alcohol. He wrestled with the question: Could he really get completely abstinent from food?  Eventually, through deep surrender and humility, he found his way. In August 2023, after a relapse, Mike reclaimed his sobriety. He attributes his recovery to not fighting being told what to do and embracing humility. Today, in his 50s, Mike is healthy, thriving, and living a beautiful life with his family. He is open about how addiction nearly took his life—but recovery gave him a new one. Mike's story is also about service and joy. A passionate cook—his dad was a chef and his mom was a great cook—he now leads a powerful program at Milestones in Recovery (https://www.milestonesprogram.org/)  called "Cooking with Mike", showing that food addicts can enjoy delicious, beautiful, and healthy meals. He teaches that recovery doesn't mean deprivation—it means positive transformation. In Spring 2021, Mike enrolled in the INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) deepening his knowledge of food addiction and treatment. That education inspired him to shift from recovery sponsor to certified counselor, allowing him to guide others professionally. He highly recommends getting certification for those interested in working with others in this field. Mike’s story is raw, real, and inspiring—a testament to the power of surrender, the gift of recovery, and the healing found in helping others.