Similarities between the two problems
Disordered eating and substance misuse share many similarities which makes it possible for the problems to appear together, to be a means to a similar end, and which can make it difficult to break free from them. The chart below shows the ways the problems can serve very similar purposes.
Promises |
Substance Misuse |
Disordered Eating |
Lose weight |
A young woman may use substances to help lose weight, or may lose her appetite because of substance use |
A young woman may purge, restrict their food intake, over-exercise in order to meet the requirements of anorexia/bulimia |
Help deal with memories /trauma/oppression/violence |
Feelings numbed by substance misuse Euphoric sensations that substance use creates |
Feelings numbed by binging/purging/not eating Focus and distract self by thinking about or avoiding the above |
Be social/belong |
Feel more outgoing when under the influence, fit in, sense of community |
As a way to meet social expectations of thinness |
Have more energy |
Get much more done; stay awake for longer periods of time (with stimulant use) [1] |
Feeling high as a result of not eating, more time in day if not eating to do other things |
Perfectionism |
Use substances in an attempt to be the perfect daughter/young women, have more energy to get all demands of day done, schoolwork, sports |
Be thin /perfect girl/ perfect daughter. Meet parental, societal expectations regarding weight and appearance |
Distraction from feelings; a way to self soothe |
Get intoxicated, forget for a while/numb out |
Purge/ restrict eating keeps focus on food/body and away from feelings |
Immediacy |
Use and problems are momentarily gone Escape |
Purge and problems are momentarily gone, focus on food/body no time to focus on other things |
Sense of control |
Able to control feelings, memories |
Control food intake, body weight |
Alleviates Guilt |
Make you feel better Temporary distraction |
Make you feel better Temporary distraction |
Rituals |
Getting, buying, using, e.g. setting up to use heroin |
Ritualized eating patterns, e.g. purchasing food for a binge |
Intense Focus |
Preoccupation with getting drugs and alcohol, and using |
Focus on avoiding food, or purchasing food/binging, getting rid of calories |
[1] There is a specific connection of stimulant use to disordered eating practice. For example, people do not tend to use alcohol as a way to control weight. Cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy, speed, dexedrine, are the riskier drugs in this regard. And of course there is heroin.