By Dixie Brown, MS, ICAADC, CAP, LCAS, Executive Director of Willow Place for Women

Alcoholism and binge eating disorder (BED) frequently co-occur. BED is the most common eating disorder in the US. It affects three times as many people who suffer from anorexia and bulimia combined. Many individuals who suffer from BED also have substance abuse disorders – binge drinking disorder or alcoholism, most commonly.

We still don’t know exactly why these two disorders often occur together. But simultaneous treatment is essential for recovery from both conditions.

Alcoholism and binge eating disorder – two sides of the same coin

Many studies have concluded that eating disorders and substance abuse disorders co-occur more frequently than not. Especially in women, and especially among patients who are already in or have recently been in treatment for addiction (exclusively). One report recently published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment suggested that eating disorders, such as BED, and addictive disorders are opposite sides of the same psychological coin.

Overindulgence of any kind, it is thought, is a subconscious attempt to address a deficiency of ego, or fill a void created by self-imposed feelings of inadequacy or shortcomings. So it’s very common for those who engage in compulsive binge eating to also consume alcohol in a binge pattern.

The root of the ‘binge’ problem is purely psychological. And treatment is available.

Treatment for alcoholism and binge eating disorder

According to another recent study, individuals with an eating disorder and a substance abuse disorder were much more likely to suffer from an additional underlying psychological disorder. Depression, anxiety, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are the most common.

Because it’s so crucial that all disorders are treated simultaneously, it’s essential that the treatment program focuses on providing psychiatric, therapeutic, and medical care. As awareness of the direct correlation between psychological disorders and alcohol abuse has increased over the past few years, dual diagnosis treatment options have become more widely available.

More about Dixie Brown

Dixie is owner and executive director of Willow Place for Women in West Palm Beach, FL, and Asheville, NC. Her vision has been to reach clients struggling with dual-diagnosis disorders from a holistic approach and provide gender-specific treatment that addresses core issues that have led clients to substance dependence, eating disorders, and other co-occurring disorders. She specializes in substance use and marriage/family counseling. Dixie is also certified in EMDR therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, a form of psychotherapy used to resolve the development of trauma-related disorders. Dixie is passionate about reaching clients who do not respond to conventional modalities of therapy. Primarily by using psychodrama, art, and expressive therapy, she has been able to access these clients to facilitate lasting change.

Dixie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Business Management and her Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology. She is currently studying for a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine specializing in Integrative Mental Health.  She is also working toward certifications in biochemical and nutritional approaches to mental health and addiction recovery, the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals Certification for Eating Disorder Specialists and Family Life Coaching.

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