What is Drunkorexia?

What is drunkorexia?

Drunkorexia refers to a pattern of disordered eating and alcohol abuse. This is typically used to describe a pattern of disordered eating and binge drinking seen on college campuses, but this pattern can be seen across all age demographics. Typically, drunkorexia refers to altering food behaviors to compensate for calories consumed during binge drinking or to increase the speed at which alcohol affects the system. This includes restricting food throughout the day, binging on food while binge drinking, and purging to try to get rid of excess calories consumed while drinking. These behaviors are usually practiced in order to control body size and weight.

Examples of drunkorexia.

  • Skipping meals in order to save calories for alcohol or on days after you have had a lot of alcohol.

  • Ordering low-calorie meals or timing meals so there is less food in your system in order to get drunk faster.

  • Avoiding higher calorie drinks and instead drinking liquor straight o with zero-calorie mixers

  • Frequent binge drinking which often results in vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

How to identify drunkorexia.

Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, fainting, blackouts, decreased coordination, dehydration, dry mouth, headaches, and dark under-eye circles.

Behavioral Symptoms: Low self-esteem, increased emotional dysregulation (mood swings and irritability), binge eating, replacing meals with alcohol, drinking heavily on purpose to induce vomiting, and preoccupation with compensating for the calories in alcohol that have been consumed, for example:

  • Continually expressing regret over the calorie content of alcohol consumed

  • Excessive exercising

  • Reduced calorie intake

  • Always engaging in dieting behaviors

  • Use of laxatives and diuretics

 The link between alcohol abuse and eating disorders.

 About 50 percent of people with eating disorders struggle have or will also struggle with substance abuse and about 35 percent of people who suffer from alcohol abuse also have an eating disorder, a rate that is 11 times greater than that in the general population. Eating disorders and substance abuse share characteristics of compulsive behavior, social isolation, and risk of suicide.

How common is drunkorexia? Though drunkorexia is not a clinical diagnosis, there is data to link diagnosed eating disorders to diagnosed substance abuse. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 27 percent of people with anorexia nervosa also abuse substances like alcohol, 37 percent of people with bulimia nervosa also abuse substances like alcohol, and 23 percent of people with binge eating disorder also abuse substances like alcohol. People who engage in disordered eating patterns or who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder are more likely to use illicit drugs and abuse alcohol.

Who is at risk? Eating disorders and substance abuse share the risk factors of brain chemistry, family history, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and social pressures. Alcohol abuse is more common in people who struggle with bulimia and binge drinking disorder. People with anorexia who develop bulimia over time are at higher risk. Many studies have shown that college students are most at risk for drunkorexia. Of those students who drink in college, one-third reduce the amount they eat in order to compensate for the caloric intake that comes from alcoholic beverages. Additionally, women are more at risk for developing drunkorexia due to pressures to have a certain body type.

Why is there a link between eating disorders and alcohol abuse? One hypothesis is that some experts think of eating disorders s a type of addiction, so therefore people with addictive tendencies are more likely to have an eating disorder and abuse alcohol.  Thirty percent of women between the ages of 18 and 23 diet so that they can drink. This fear of weight gain and its connection to alcohol consumption comes from diet culture. Alcohol may also take the place of food as a coping mechanism when food is restricted. Additionally, dieting and eating disorders disconnect us from our intuitive hunger and satiation cues, and therefore our body, In ignoring the cues of the body in terms of hunger, you might also ignore the cues of the body as they relate to alcohol consumption.

 Dangers and Consequences of Drunkorexia

 Alcohol Associated Risk Behaviors. Drinking on an empty stomach causes the body’s blood content to rise quickly, making you more likely to engage in risk behaviors associated with alcohol. This includes driving while intoxicated, violence, and assault. 

Purging after drinking. Purging after drinking can lead to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, organ damage, heart arrhythmias, and gastrointestinal bleeding. 

Physical Consequences: Dehydration, blackouts, hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalances, heart arrhythmias, gastrointestinal bleeding, organ damage, alcohol poisoning, alcohol-related brain damage, and death. 

Psychological Consequences: Anxiety, depression, memory problems, trouble concentrating, poor decision-making, problems with impulse control.

 Treatment Options

Drunkorexia is not a clinical diagnosis, but it can signify disordered eating and alcohol abuse issues that need to be addressed. Seeking help for these issues sounds scary as many use these behaviors as coping mechanisms. Through medical treatment, nutritional counseling, and psychotherapy, you can feel better and heal your relationship with food, alcohol, and yourself!

References

Byrne, C. (2022, March 23). Drunkorexia: The link between alcohol abuse and eating disorders. Christine Byrne Nutrition. https://christinejbyrne.com/drunkorexia-alcohol-eating-disorders/

Drunkorexia. (n.d.). Recovery Connection. https://www.recoveryconnection.com/eating-disorders/drunkorexia/

Drunkorexia: Warning signs, side effects, and dangers. (n.d.). Recovering Champions. https://recoveringchampions.com/dual-diagnosis/anorexia-and-alcohol-abuse/

A new disturbing trend: Drunkorexia. (2022, May 13). Intrepid Detox-Residential. https://www.intrepidrecovery.com/a-new-disturbing-trend-drunkorexia/

Substance use and eating disorders. (n.d.). National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/substance-use-and-eating-disorders

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