A new buzz word in the world of eating disorders is drunkorexia. This is not an official medical term; instead, it's media shorthand for anorexia or bulimia combined with alcohol abuse. Typically, it is used to describe a young college-age woman who starves herself throughout the day to avoid calories, then goes out at night and drinks to excess.

The name is somewhat of a misnomer because it implies that alcohol abuse is strongly tied to anorexia, not bulimia. However, this is not the case. A woman with anorexia tends to avoid alcohol consumption altogether, due to its high caloric content. Another reason for avoidance is that someone with anorexia is afraid the alcohol will make her lose control, which will then cause her to eat. On occasion, a woman with anorexia may intentionally have a drink in order to counteract anxiety. This anxiety often revolves around thoughts of eating, especially in the company of others. Instead of alcohol, those with anorexia are far more likely to turn to drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, which provide energy and suppress appetite. Other drugs of choice include nicotine and caffeine; similarly, these substances are used for energy and to stave off hunger.

A woman with bulimia is much more likely to fall into the category of drunkorexia. In fact, alcohol may figure prominently in her binge-purge cycle. In addition to eating huge quantities of food, she imbibes excessively. Not only does she experience the mood altering effects of alcohol, but the large amount of liquid helps her in the purge process. After purging, it is not unusual for her to drink even more, in order to sustain feelings of intoxication. In a minority of cases, alcohol may be the only calories she consumes in a day. This is not beneficial to her body, since alcohol consists of "empty" calories, meaning there is little, if any, nutritive value. She may maintain a desired weight in this manner, but will also suffer malnutrition in the process.

Either way, when substance abuse occurs among those with anorexia or bulimia, it exacerbates a situation that is already extremely dangerous, and can be, deadly.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder and substance abuse, please call Remuda Ranch at 1-800-445-1900 today.