
Eating disorders and addiction may seem completely different on the surface, but they share a lot of insidious similarities. Both disorders are maladaptive coping mechanisms–which is another way to say they are unhealthy and unsustainable ways to cope with everyday stressors.
To gain more insight on the overlap between eating disorders and SUD, we spoke with Candace Kotkin-De Carvalho, a licensed social worker and Clinical Director for Absolute Awakenings. “Studies have found a strong relationship between disordered eating, [and] substance use,” Carvalho said. “Bulimia nervosa shows the strongest links to substance use at 36.8%.”
Many healthcare professionals suspect these disorders co-occur at such high rates because they have similar risk factors. Those risk factors include things like trauma, genetics, environment, perfectionism, and low self-esteem. According to Carvalho, “knowing the risk factors associated with these conditions can help people better understand their behaviors and motivations, as well as recognize the warning signs in others.”
Dealing with one of these disorders on their own can feel overwhelming–but living with both can make recovery feel impossible. That’s where we come in. We’ve gathered a collection of resources to help those who are living with both an eating disorder and addiction. If you or a loved one are feeling overwhelmed, start here: