Bridging the Treatment Gap

By: Sarina Ponte, LMHC LAC CEDS CIEC

Eating disorders affect over 30 million Americans while substance abuse disorder affects over 27 million. With numbers that similar there must be overlap, right?

Right.
Here’s some harrowing statistics[1]:

• ●  Opioid Use Disorder has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric disorders, Eating Disorders hold second place

• ●  50% of individuals that have an eating disorder also abuse a substance

• ●  Substance use can begin before the development of an eating disorder, during, or after recovery

• ●  50% of individuals with anorexia nervosa developed a substance use disorder after being discharged from treatment

• ●  22.4% of high school students in Hawaii report disordered eating

• ●  In Hawaii, eating disorder related ER visits doubled during the pandemic for teenagers

• ●  In Hawaii, there has been a 21.1% increase in young adults reporting eating disorder symptoms since 2019

  Those with both substance use and eating disorders tend to experience severe symptoms and higher rates of relapse. It’s important to note that most treatment centers treat one disorder then the other. Clinicians and centers offering therapy and programs that treat both disorders together are proving to be more beneficial to those seeking recovery.

  Why Do Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders Occur Together?

  There are a few reasons why these two disorders pair so “well” together: 1) some substances lend to aiding an individual’s eating disorder, 2) some substances help individuals self-medicate to alleviate the negative eating disorder symptoms, and 3) the same reward center of the brain is triggered every time an individual engages in an eating disorder behavior or their substance of choice.

  Why Treating Eating Disorders and Substance Use at the Same Time Works

  It’s common for an eating disorder to occur alongside a substance use disorder and vice versa. People use both food and substances to help them cope with life’s pressures. It is not entirely known whether one replaces or provides cover for the other, whether one needs the other, or whether they co-occur coincidently.

  But it is known that both disorders must be addressed and assessed at the beginning of treatment. However, they are rarely treated together. Substance use treatment programs usually don’t admit patients with active eating disorders; eating disorder treatment programs don’t admit patients who use alcohol or drugs—but will allow those who abuse laxatives and diet pills.

  The integrated approach to treatment is the key for individuals with both disorders to recover. By tackling both at once, integrated care can reduce treatment costs, reduce the length of stay, decrease relapse rates, and increase sustained recovery.

  Both disorders are highlighted by dysfunction, and they represent adaptive efforts to manage a range of biological, social, and psychological issues. While there are few treatment centers that offer integrated treatment programs for eating disorders and substance use disorders, there are clinicians and mental health professionals who offer such treatment individually.

  How Bridgewood Recovery Can Help

  Along with my LMHC, I am a Licensed Addiction Counselor, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. I specialize in the co-occurrence of eating disorders and addiction. When an individual presents with both an eating disorder and a substance use disorder, I tailor the therapeutic experience to build self-empowerment and confidence. I work with each of my clients to help them align with their values and move forward in the healing journey. Bridgewood Recovery offers both individual telehealth therapy sessions and group therapy. Schedule a free consultation today!