Did you know? Researchers have found up to 50% of people with an eating disorder diagnosis use illicit drugs or alcohol and an estimated 35% of people who are dependent on drugs or alcohol have an eating disorder. 

Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2023 starts Monday, February 27. In this post, we’ve rounded up a few facts and statistics about the complicated relationship between eating disorders and substance abuse. Read on to learn more.

What Is An Eating Disorder?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an eating disorder is an illness that is associated with severe disturbances in people's eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. Eating disorders often appear in adolescence and early adulthood, however, they can affect individuals of any age, race, sex, or socioeconomic status. Examples of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. While these examples are among the most well-known, it's important to know that any serious disturbance or behavioral changes around food can be considered an eating disorder.  

Recognizing The Symptoms

Learning to spot the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder can be life-saving. In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated 28.8 million Americans will face an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Here’s what to look out for.

Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia is characterized by the restriction of the amount of food consumed, which can lead to an intense obsession with weight and appearance, starvation, and potentially dangerous low body weight. 

Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia refers to a cycle of binging and purging to avoid weight gain or exercise control around eating. Symptoms may include a lack of control with food, binging large meals in a small time frame, excessive fasting after meals, and purging one's food through laxatives or vomiting. 

Binge-Eating Disorder: Binge-Eating Disorder involves episodes of consuming abnormally large amounts of food in a small time frame, without the purging symptoms associated with bulimia.

Some signs can be harder to detect than others. Other symptoms of an eating disorder can include:

• An obsession with weight, food, calories, dieting, or exercise 

• Changes in weight and physical appearance

• Skipping meals or eating alone

• Refusal to eat certain foods or unnecessary dietary restriction

• Brittle nails and hair

• Menstrual irregularities in women

• Dental erosion or tooth decay

• Constipation or gastrointestinal complications

• Dizziness 

• Difficulty concentrating

Food, like substances, can often be used to self-medicate. Some symptoms may not concern food or dieting, but rather indicate an underlying mental health issue, like anxiety or depression. These symptoms may include withdrawing from loved ones and activities, excessive fatigue, mood swings, or trouble sleeping. The bottom line? If you notice significant behavioral or mood changes, accompanied by a new or worsening fixation with food, it may be time to seek professional help.

Eating Disorders and Addiction

So why do eating disorders and substance abuse occur together so frequently? What is it they have in common? The answer is–more than you may think.

Substance Use Disorder, also known as SUD, and eating disorders share several similar risk factors. These risk factors can include: 

• Stressful life events 

• Psychological health

• Genetics and family history

• Social expectations and stigma

• History of traumatic events

• Poor self-image

Individuals with eating disorders may abuse substances to purposefully decrease their appetite. The National Eating Disorders Association reports the most frequently used substances by individuals with eating disorders include: alcohol, amphetamines, heroin, and cocaine, as well as laxatives, emetics, and diuretics. Some individuals may develop an eating disorder due to long-term appetite suppression caused by continued drug use. 

Eating disorders and substance abuse are both linked to compulsive or ritualistic behaviors, high rates of self-medication, and a high relapse rate. A person may use both food and substances to manage emotional distress or sudden life events. Binge eating or binge drinking can develop as coping mechanisms in these situations. 

The risk of symptom substitution is also higher when these two disorders co-exist. Symptom substitution is a behavior characterized by an individual switching from one behavior to the other through periods of remission and relapse. For example, a person may engage in binge-eating behaviors while not abusing alcohol, but when they begin using alcohol again, they will cease binging. This symbiotic relationship leads to an ongoing cycle of risky behaviors.

What You Can Do

The relationship between eating disorders and addiction is complex and many researchers are still trying to make sense of why they are so intertwined. What we do know is that this combination can be dangerous and even life-threatening if left untreated. Seeking professional help is the first step towards breaking free from this harmful cycle.  

At The Walker Center, we specialize in personalized addiction treatment and mental health services. If you live in Idaho, give us a call today. We’re here to help.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, know that recovery is possible. Contact the National Eating Disorders Association Hotline at 1-(800) 931-2237 to explore support options and locate the treatment professional that is right for you.