Substance Abuse
Often times persons suffering from eating disorders also participate in the dangerous abuse of not only drugs & alcohol, but many over-the-counter drugs as well. Below is a list of commonly abused agents. Please click on the items below to find out more information.
Diet Pill Abuse
In the obsessive pursuit of thinness, many individuals turn to the use, and eventual abuse, of diet pills. Both over the counter and prescription diet pills are one of the most unhealthy and potentially dangerous ways to lose weight. Unfortunately diet pills are common and easily accessible to everyone, including minors. Just about every grocery store, pharmacy, convenience store and health food store carries these highly addictive substances that lead to eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating. Read More››
Diuretic Abuse
Individuals suffering from eating disorders such as Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating sometimes misuse diuretics in an attempt to lose, or control, their weight. In actuality, diuretic misuse by the eating disordered individual does not facilitate weight loss but instead only reduces the amount of water in the body. Water in the body is vital for the appropriate functioning of all physiological systems. By misusing diuretics the eating disordered individual is robbing their body of this crucial resource. Read More››
Drug & Alcohol Abuse
Substance abuse and eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating often go hand-in-hand. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that one half of individuals who suffer from an eating disorder regularly abuse alcohol or illicit drugs. This compares to nine percent for the general population. Read More››
Ipecac Abuse
Some individuals suffering from eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating participate in the dangerous activity of using Ipecac syrup as a means of purging. Ipecac syrup is a plant extract from the ipecacuanha scrub bush found in Brazil. When ingested, Ipecac syrup stimulates the central nervous system and the stomach, causing the person to vomit. Ipecac’s sole purpose is to facilitate vomiting in an individual who has ingested poison or overdosed on medication. The use of Ipecac syrup is meant only for a single use, and the intent is for it to never to be used on multiple occasions. Read More››
Laxative Abuse
Some individuals suffering from eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating misuse laxatives as a means of purging. These individuals are under the misconception that by using laxatives they can get rid of unwanted calories. Since most of the calories eaten are absorbed by the small intestine right after eating, the method of using laxatives for weight loss is actually ineffective. Many laxatives act by irritating the lining of the intestines, or by directly stimulating nerves. Continual over stimulation of the intestines from laxative abuse can eventually cause the bowels to become unresponsive. Read More››