NCJ Number: 203689
Title: Food for Thought: Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders
Document: PDF
Date Published: December 2003
Annotation: This extensive analysis of the current state of knowledge on the
link between eating disorders and substance abuse is based on the
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse's (CASA's)
review of national datasets and nearly 500 articles, books, and
reports from the most current scientific literature available.
Abstract: The analysis found that up to 50 percent of individuals with an
eating disorder abuse alcohol or illicit drugs, compared to
approximately 9 percent in the general population. Up to 35
percent of alcohol or illicit drug abusers have an eating
disorder, compared to up to 3 percent in the general population.
Many individuals who engage in unhealthy weight-control behaviors
or have full-blown eating disorders use or abuse substances such
as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and
over-the-counter medications such as appetite suppressants,
diuretics, laxatives, and emetics. The adverse effects of eating
disorders are often severe, ranging from hair loss, tooth decay,
and osteoporosis to heart failure and a destabilization of
virtually all body systems; severe cases may be fatal. To help
prevent eating disorders and substance abuse in their children,
parents should model and promote healthy, positive, and
reasonable messages about eating and exercise, as well as
consistent messages about the dangers of substance use. Schools
should give high priority to educating parents, teachers,
administrators, and coaches to recognize the relationship of
eating disorders and substance abuse and intervene quickly and
effectively. The public health community should educate patients
and the public about nutrition and the negative health effects of
eating disorders and substance abuse. Suggestions are also
offered for positive action by the advertising, marketing, and
entertainment industries; policymakers; and researchers. Chapter
tables and notes and 343 references
Main Term(s): Drug effects
Index Term(s): Drug information; Eating disorders; Medical and dental services
Sponsoring Agency: Commonwealth Fund
Corporate Author: National Ctr on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA)
Sale Source: National Ctr on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA)
Page Count: 83
Format: Document
Type: Report (Study/Research)
Language: English
Country: United States of America
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