The Correlation Between Eating Disorders and Substance Use By Lindsay Chapman

Introduction  Definite correlation between eating disorders and subsequent substance abuse - media plays a huge role in this relationship by creating body image issues among some members of society.  Average person is exposed to over 25 body and image related advertisements every day (Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004)  Eating Disorders and Substane Use as coping strategies  Definite correlation between eating disorders and subsequent substance abuse - media plays a huge role in this relationship by creating body image issues among some members of society.  Average person is exposed to over 25 body and image related advertisements every day (Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004)  Eating Disorders and Substane Use as coping strategies

Topics Included:  Media’s Influence  Predictors for Disordered Eating and Substance Use  Racial and Gender Differences  Alcohol, Drug, and Cigarette Use Among those with Eating Disorders  Treatment Options  Media’s Influence  Predictors for Disordered Eating and Substance Use  Racial and Gender Differences  Alcohol, Drug, and Cigarette Use Among those with Eating Disorders  Treatment Options

Media’s Influence

 Abundance of thin models and actresses - message that to be attractive, desirable, and successful, the average woman needs to be a reflection of the thin ideal  Thin models overrepresented in media - only a minority of women have the body size shown in advertising  Abundance of thin models and actresses - message that to be attractive, desirable, and successful, the average woman needs to be a reflection of the thin ideal  Thin models overrepresented in media - only a minority of women have the body size shown in advertising

Predictors of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders

Predictors  Low Self-Esteem  Mental Disorders:  Depression  Anxiety  Body Dissatisfaction  Family History  Abuse within the family and in relationships  Past Trauma  PTSD  Impulsivity  Low Self-Esteem  Mental Disorders:  Depression  Anxiety  Body Dissatisfaction  Family History  Abuse within the family and in relationships  Past Trauma  PTSD  Impulsivity

Depression  Research links depressive symptoms and anxiety with the onset of ED  Depression - 1 in 20 Canadian women each year (Koehn & Hardy, 2007)  40% reported problems with anxiety or depression that preceded onset of ED (Cockell, Johnson, & Zaider, 2002)  Drug/Alcohol Use - greater risk for developing depression  Importance of integrated treatment  Research links depressive symptoms and anxiety with the onset of ED  Depression - 1 in 20 Canadian women each year (Koehn & Hardy, 2007)  40% reported problems with anxiety or depression that preceded onset of ED (Cockell, Johnson, & Zaider, 2002)  Drug/Alcohol Use - greater risk for developing depression  Importance of integrated treatment

Racial/Gender Differences

Racial Differences  Higher levels of body satisfaction and less desire for thinness in black women  White bulimic women overrepresented  Reflection of media portrayals of white and black women  Substance use, regardless of race, significantly related to ED symptoms  Higher levels of body satisfaction and less desire for thinness in black women  White bulimic women overrepresented  Reflection of media portrayals of white and black women  Substance use, regardless of race, significantly related to ED symptoms

Gender Differences  Less research on male body image, ED a “female problem”  Emphasis on thinness for women, muscularity for men  Less research on male body image, ED a “female problem”  Emphasis on thinness for women, muscularity for men

Prevalence of Alcohol, Cigarette, & Drug Use

Cigarette Use and Eating Disorders  Weight loss/control method - smoking suppresses appetite  Cigarette use precedes ED  Higher levels of: body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, low self-esteem, & anxiety  Weight loss/control method - smoking suppresses appetite  Cigarette use precedes ED  Higher levels of: body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, low self-esteem, & anxiety

Substance Use and Eating Disorders  Two Trends:  Binge eating and alcohol use  Dieting/Purging and use of stimulants, amphetamines, and sleeping pills  Alcohol most frequent substance use problem among patients with ED  Need for integrated treatment options - instead of dealing with ED and SUD independently, treatment should address both problems  Two Trends:  Binge eating and alcohol use  Dieting/Purging and use of stimulants, amphetamines, and sleeping pills  Alcohol most frequent substance use problem among patients with ED  Need for integrated treatment options - instead of dealing with ED and SUD independently, treatment should address both problems

Treatment Options

 Holistic approach vs. Independent treatment  In SK - Bridgepoint - located in Milden, SK  Eating Disorder Treatment Center - Programs for Adolescents (15-18) and Adults  Multidisciplinary approach  Provides safe environment  Individualized support services  Ongoing interdependent planning  Promotes self-discovery, skill building, transition from unhealthy to healthy choices  Body awareness and self expression activities   Holistic approach vs. Independent treatment  In SK - Bridgepoint - located in Milden, SK  Eating Disorder Treatment Center - Programs for Adolescents (15-18) and Adults  Multidisciplinary approach  Provides safe environment  Individualized support services  Ongoing interdependent planning  Promotes self-discovery, skill building, transition from unhealthy to healthy choices  Body awareness and self expression activities 

Conclusion  Important to recognize role of the media in creating body image issues in society  EDs and SUDs emerge as coping strategies  Important to consider intricate relationship between ED and SUD  By recognizing predictors we are better able to treat and prevent EDs and SUDs  Prevention and treatment require an integrated approach  Important to recognize role of the media in creating body image issues in society  EDs and SUDs emerge as coping strategies  Important to consider intricate relationship between ED and SUD  By recognizing predictors we are better able to treat and prevent EDs and SUDs  Prevention and treatment require an integrated approach