It's not a fair comparison, given that sugar is available so readily and cheaply.
But as a schoolchild, I did actually regularly steal from parents (cash) and employers (cash and stock) in order to satisfy my desire for sugar. I knew it was wrong and felt terribly guilty, but the desire for sugar was strong enough to overpower the sense of guilt. Stephen Fry has spoken of a similar experience in his childhood [1]
In later life I've spent years as a heavy cigarette smoker, and have dabbled in recreational drugs (including some of the more addictive ones) and have never found anything as hard to quit or resist as sugar.
lol, I actually chuckled a bit on this one. This is exactly what my childhood was like. My brother and I would have to sneak into the kitchen at night for food. We "stole" bread. :P
Then later, I learned to shoplift from a friend (4th grade) and what did we steal? Candy.
But as a schoolchild, I did actually regularly steal from parents (cash) and employers (cash and stock) in order to satisfy my desire for sugar. I knew it was wrong and felt terribly guilty, but the desire for sugar was strong enough to overpower the sense of guilt. Stephen Fry has spoken of a similar experience in his childhood [1]
In later life I've spent years as a heavy cigarette smoker, and have dabbled in recreational drugs (including some of the more addictive ones) and have never found anything as hard to quit or resist as sugar.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EFLfr7XVd8