Eating disorders can wreak havoc on a person’s physical and emotional health. Millions of people of all demographics live with symptoms of disordered eating, including anorexia.
Some people with disordered eating also struggle with alcohol abuse or addiction. Living with both of these conditions can make many aspects of life much more challenging. These conditions can threaten a person’s health and safety or put their lives at risk.
Drunkorexia is a slang term people may use to describe someone who has symptoms of anorexia and alcohol use disorder (AUD). While “drunkorexia” is not a clinical diagnosis, it describes a dangerous combination of conditions that requires treatment.
This article will explore what it means to live with drunkorexia. You will learn:
- What it means to have “drunkorexia”
- The risks of anorexia and alcohol abuse
- How to recognize drunkorexia
- What happens in treatment for eating disorders and alcohol abuse
- Where to find treatment and support
If you or a loved one struggles with disordered eating and substance abuse, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to explore our comprehensive treatment programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is Drunkorexia?
Drunkorexia: You may have heard this term on social media or in the news. This slang term describes a dangerous combination of disordered eating patterns and excessive alcohol consumption.
The term “drunkorexia” comes from the words “drunk” and “anorexia.” Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that causes a preoccupation with weight and dangerous calorie restriction. People may use the term “drunkorexia” to describe someone who engages in unhealthy behaviors to counteract the calories they consume while drinking.
An example of “drunkorexia” behaviors might be skipping a meal before engaging in binge drinking or exercising excessively later on. A person who participates in these behaviors may worry about the calories they are taking in while drinking and look for ways to reduce calorie consumption in other areas.
Research shows these behaviors are common, especially among teens and young adults. Some studies suggest that drunkorexia behaviors are prevalent on college campuses, with between 39 and 46% of college students reporting that they sometimes change their eating behaviors before drinking.
This trend is also gaining popularity among women in their 20s. A recent survey showed that nearly one in three admitted to skipping meals to offset the calories they planned to consume by heavy drinking.
Anorexia and Alcohol Abuse: A Dangerous Combination
Restrictive eating and heavy drinking can have serious effects on a person’s mind and body. Here are some of the most significant risks associated with drunkorexia.
Malnutrition
Restricting food calories and increasing alcohol consumption put people at risk for malnutrition. If people consume fewer calories from food, they will likely miss out on protein, fats, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Risky behaviors
Heavy or binge drinking can increase the likelihood that someone will engage in risky behaviors. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, impairs judgment, and can reduce coordination. These effects increase the risk someone will engage in dangerous behaviors, such as driving drunk or having unprotected sex.
Alcohol overdose
Research has shown that drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to a life-threatening overdose. Drinking on an empty stomach increases the risk of dangerously elevated blood alcohol content (BAC).
Addiction
People who drink alcohol heavily for extended periods may develop a physical dependence on alcohol. People who use alcohol as a coping mechanism or have other mental health conditions may be at higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Eating disorders
Engaging in drunkorexia behaviors may increase the risk that someone will develop an eating disorder. Eating disorders include anorexia (a preoccupation with body shape or weight that causes severe restriction), bulimia nervosa (a cycle of binge eating and purging through induced vomiting or excessive exercise), and others.
Contact the National Eating Disorder Association or Agape Behavioral Health to learn more about eating disorders and their treatment.
People who have disordered behaviors around food and alcohol must seek treatment. Without treatment, an eating disorder or alcohol use disorder (AUD) may cause severe, life-threatening complications.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
Recognizing and Treating Drunkorexia
Research suggests that skipping meals to offset heavy drinking is common. While some people may do this occasionally without serious problems, these behaviors can snowball into a larger issue requiring treatment.
Some signs of drunkorexia include:
- Frequently skipping meals or restricting calories before drinking
- Excessive worry about weight or body shape
- Using laxatives to lose weight
- Severely restricting caloric intake
- Exercising excessively to offset eating
- Engaging in binge eating
- Purging by vomiting or exercising after binging
- Engaging in heavy or binge drinking more often
- Needing to drink more to get the effects of alcohol
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when alcohol wears off
- Wanting to stop drinking but finding it’s impossible without help
People may use alcohol or other substances to manage the symptoms of a mental health condition, including disordered eating. It is important to recognize the signs of drunkorexia and seek treatment right away.
Find Treatment Now
Agape Behavioral Health offers comprehensive, compassionate treatment for mental health conditions and substance abuse. If you or someone you love struggles with disordered eating and alcohol abuse, contact our specialists to explore your treatment options.
Don’t wait for another day to get the help you need. Take the first step of your recovery journey today.
References:
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Drunkorexia behaviors and motives, eating attitudes and mental health in Lebanese alcohol drinkers: a path analysis model
- NIH: Drinking on an empty stomach: a scoping review of the evidence on how consuming food with alcohol affects short-term outcomes
- NIH: Eating Disorders and Alcohol Use Disorders
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Anorexia Nervosa
