Regarding Fasting and Recovery from Addictions and Other Maladies (Depression et al)

Fasting is supposed to bring us closer to G-d.  If fasting posses a negative health risk, a person should consult a Rabbi and a Doctor regarding fasting.

There is a potential risk for those in recovery from substance or behavioral addiction including issues of anxiety, depression and bi-polar disorders etc.  to experience negative results from fasting making fasting a ‘trigger’ for relapse.

A person should consult a Rabbi and a Doctor regarding Fasting IF;

• A person takes medications that may or may not require water
• A person must take daily medication
• A person as a result of Fasting experiences anxiety or other triggers that may contribute to depression, bi-polar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or addiction related cravings. In brief, any potential negative physical or emotional stresses that may lead to relapse should be considered.

The guideline for eating during a fast is; one may ingest a mouth-full of liquid or a kazayis of food (about ½ a hard boiled egg or an amount the size of an olive… 0.97oz – 1.68oz/Chazzon Ish) at 9 minute intervals. This may vary depending on your L.O.R. (Local Orthodox Rabbi).

You should merit finding great meaning on your Fast Day.

Leib Getzel (Lawrence) Lax
Addictions and Counseling (Honors)