Understanding Eating Disorders & Addiction
Eating disorders -- including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder -- are serious mental health conditions characterized by disturbed eating behaviors, distorted body image, and intense preoccupation with food, weight, and shape. The co-occurrence of eating disorders and substance use disorders is remarkably common, with research showing that up to 50% of individuals with an eating disorder also struggle with substance abuse, a rate five times higher than in the general population.
The connection between eating disorders and addiction runs deep. Both conditions involve dysregulated reward processing, compulsive behavior despite negative consequences, loss of control, and secretive behavior. Many of the same neurochemical systems -- particularly dopamine and serotonin -- are disrupted in both conditions. Individuals with bulimia nervosa are particularly vulnerable to substance use disorders, as the binge-purge cycle shares neurological similarities with the binge-withdrawal pattern of addiction. Stimulants (including cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription amphetamines) and laxatives are commonly misused for weight control, while alcohol is often used to manage the anxiety, shame, and depression that accompany eating disorders.
The nutritional devastation caused by eating disorders complicates addiction treatment in important ways. Malnutrition impairs cognitive function, emotional regulation, and the brain's ability to recover from substance use. Electrolyte imbalances from purging can create dangerous medical complications during detox. At Trust SoCal, our dual diagnosis program includes nutritional assessment and counseling as an integral component of treatment, working alongside psychiatric care and psychotherapy to address the full spectrum of co-occurring eating disorder and addiction symptoms.