ALCOHOL ADDICTION AND DRUG ADDICTION - CO-EXISTING WITH EATING DISORDERS

Eating Disorders is an addiction that often accompanies or “co-exists” with drug and/or alcohol addiction. It is common for someone abusing prescription drugs to also use the prescription drug as an appetite suppressant. It is unknown as to whether the eating disorder leads to a drug addiction or if it is the drug addiction that leads to an eating disorder, so the clinical, medical, and therapeutic approach is to treat both addictions.

People who have historically struggled with weight gain, are often comfortable with a lowered body weight that may accompany drug addiction. Once the drug addiction is in the recovery phase, it is common to switch addictions to and eating disorder, sometimes to maintain a lower body weight. People struggling with anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive eating are secretive about their behaviors, usually feeling shame or guilt, due to behavior a recovering person understands to be an addiction. Eating disorders are also a way to exert more control in a recovering individual’s life.

Alcohol, drugs, anorexic behaviors, bulimic behaviors, and compulsive eating behaviors are often abused for the same reasons. Individuals use these substances to avoid feelings and emotions. Individuals are usually lacking adequate coping skills. Some people have never addressed traumatic life experiences, either as a child or as an adult.

Eating disorder, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, and prescription drug addiction have high relapse rates. Therefore, a recovery program should also include identifying each individual’s triggers for both the eating disorder and the substance addiction. Education on the “relapse cycle” is imperative for the greatest chance of a recovery program without relapse. Unfortunately, relapse is often a part of the recovery cycle. The recovering individual should seek immediate help and treatment if necessary. Guilt and shame are not necessary or helpful, as relapse can provide a positive aspect in that it provides opportunities to gather additional tools for recovery and increase awareness as to the need for targeted therapeutic issues.

NA, AA, and OA are a key component in an “aftercare” plan. Support groups of Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous, offer a variety of groups in a scheduled formated, designed to meet most people’s schedules.

Continued therapeutic assistance is often a valued component in a strong aftercare plan.

By: Karen Corcoran, MS, MFT, APA
11/19/2009

Resources:
-The Body Betrayed: A Deeper Understanding of Women, Eating Disorders, and Treatment by Katheryn J. Zerbe, M.D. - Gurze Books, 1995

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