Treatment for Co-Occurring Eating Disorders
Eating disorders and substance abuse can be closely connected. Low self-esteem and a distorted body image are often at the root of an eating disorder. If you are suffering from low self-esteem, you may also turn to binge drinking or drug use to cope with your painful feelings. When you have an eating disorder and a substance use disorder, the professionals at Recovery Without Walls offer evidence-based treatment options that give you hope for recovery.
Compulsive eating behaviors can contribute to a higher risk of substance abuse. Almost half of those with eating disorders also abuse alcohol or drugs, a rate five times higher than the general population. Over a third of those who are dependent on drugs or alcohol also have eating disorders, a rate eleven times higher than the general population.
Eating Disorders
Common eating disorders include:
Anorexia nervosa: restricting nutritional intake to maintain a weight below what would be considered average for a person’s height and age. People with anorexia can engage in complicated eating rituals, such as cutting up food into tiny pieces or eating only a limited number of food items. Purging, exercising compulsively, or abusing laxatives are also signs of anorexia.Â
Bulimia nervosa: binge eating and then purging. People with bulimia can consume large amounts of food and then purge, exercise compulsively, or use laxatives to rid themselves of that food. People with bulimia do not necessarily lose excessive weight although they are obsessed with their weight.
Binge eating disorder: one of the most common eating disorders. People with binge eating disorder eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time, in response to stress or unmanageable emotions. Even though they may feel extreme guilt or remorse, they feel they are unable to stop the binge eating episodes.
Medications for Eating Disorders
Recovery Without Walls utilizes sophisticated pharmacology in the treatment of eating disorders. Psychiatric medications often improve an individual’s mood and mental stability during the treatment process. In combination with evidence-based therapies, our clinicians have found success with the prescription of Naltrexone, Vyvanse, Prozac, and other SSRIs. We regularly evaluate each patient’s progress and response to their medication, ensuring a clear path to recovery.
If you feel that our addiction rehab and pain management might be right for you or someone you love, please contact Recovery Without Walls for a confidential initial consultation.
Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
