by Susan M. Sherman, Ph.D.
A growing body of research is beginning to report high rates of women who suffer from eating disorders also abuse alcohol and drugs (Catterson, Pryor, Burke, & Morgan, 1995). The most frequent association being reported is between purging anorexia and alcohol dependency, with results showing (depending on the study) between 33-71% of women with purging anorexia also abuse or are dependent on alcohol (Corcos, Nezelof, Speranza, Topa, et al., 2001).
Several studies investigating the association between substance abuse and eating disorders agree that medical and mental health professionals need to be aware of the high comorbidity rate of these two disorders, but they disagree on which disorder is primary and what the recommended course of treatment should be. It is, however, vital that treatment issues be addressed: approximately 7 million women in the United States presently suffer from eating disorders, and one in ten of these women will die. When the diagnosis of alcohol dependence is added to that of purging anorexia, the number of women with this dual diagnosis that will die has not sufficiently been investigated, but may be as high as one in four (Olson, 1999).
In order to propose an effective course of treatment for women suffering from
the comorbid conditions of alcohol dependence and eating disorders, this paper
will begin with a review of the surprisingly similar factors that appear to contribute
to both disorders. The development of symptoms as reported in the literature will
be presented, along with a discussion of the primary and secondary nature of both
eating disorders and substance abuse. Finally, the current methods of treatment
will be reviewed, concluding with a proposal for integrated, long-term treatment
of women suffering from purging anorexia and alcohol dependence.
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© Susan M. Sherman, 2002
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