Premium
Co‐morbidity of eating disorders and substance abuse review of the literature
Author(s) -
Holderness Claire C.,
BrooksGunn Jeanne,
Warren Michelle P.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(199407)16:1<1::aid-eat2260160102>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - eating disorders , substance abuse , anorexia nervosa , bulimia nervosa , psychiatry , comorbidity , psychology , clinical psychology , substance use , disordered eating , medicine
The comorbidity of eating disorders and substance use and abuse has frequently been reported in the past 15 years. To date, however, no synthesis of this literature exists. Here, 51 studies reporting on these associations are reviewed. Studies of substance use and abuse in eating disordered women are considered, as are studies of eating disorders among women classified as substance abusers. The rates of substance abuse among eating disordered women are also examined. This review indicates that associations are stronger with bulimia, and “bulimic” behaviors, than with anorexia nervosa. Analogously, bulimic anorectics report more substance use and abuse than restricters. The prevalence of drug abuse was not found to differ between the relatives of bulimics and anorectics. Several mechanisms explaining the eating disorder–substance use/abuse link are considered, and suggestions for future research made. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.