My Strange Addiction: Brea's Sand Addiction Isn't The Weirdest Thing We've Ever Seen

02/20/2013

Ninteen-year-old Brea, featured on tonight's episode of My Strange Addiction, really likes eating sand. But not just any sand -- she's picky, after all. She loves sand alone, but sand with an actual food item is even better. Her favorite snack? Gum covered in sand, which for us at least, conjures up something nasty you might find on a beach boardwalk.

Brea's sand addiction started when she was just 14, and actually? It's not entirely unheard of. Brea's sand-eating is classified under the term Pica, a disorder affecting primarily women, in which sufferers crave non-food items like rocks, dirt and yes, sand. Pica has been linked to iron deficiencies, mental disorders and nutritional deficiencies. There's no real solid statistics on just how many women have the disorder, but it seems to be more common among African American women.

So how is Brea handling her addiction? And what are the consequences if she doesn't stop? Tune into My Strange Addiction tonight at 10/9c to find out!

Comments

[JeRome S]

I saw this episode and all I could think was the damage the young lady will do to her health and teeth . I am sure she is now aware but the temptation still may come and go .
Try Grapenut Cereal Brea and be well .

[mary m]

If you eat sand rocks etc. Google " pica" get iron levels checked by a doctor and try chewing ice can be a satisfying substitute.