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What Is Drunkorexia, and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Drunkorexia might not sound familiar, but its effects are both profound and increasingly prevalent. This non-medical term describes a dangerous pattern of disordered eating and problematic drinking designed to offset calories from alcohol. Despite its growing prevalence, many still ask: What is drunkorexia, and why is it so dangerous?
Drunkorexia is a non-medical slang term that describes a pattern of disordered eating and excessive drinking, where individuals restrict food, skip meals, or over-exercise to balance out the calories they consume from alcohol.
Whether it’s skipping meals to “save up” for drinks or excessively exercising after binge drinking, these behaviors can wreak havoc on both the body and mind.
Popularized within college settings but not exclusive to them, drunkorexia is a hidden issue that often goes unnoticed, despite the severe risks involved. If you or someone you know is dealing with disordered eating or alcohol misuse, understanding drunkorexia can be the first step to seeking help.
This blog by GateHouse Treatment explores the symptoms, risks, and treatments available to address this troubling behavior before it becomes debilitating. So, keep reading to learn more about this trending topic.
To discover more about Gatehouse Treatment and our approach to helping you attain the healthy lifestyle your body needs after substance misuse, visit us here. Please read our other blogs here.
Understanding Drunkorexia
Drunkorexia is a combination of behaviors tied to eating disorders and alcohol consumption. The term stems from words like “drunk” and “anorexia,” reflecting its overlapping focus on alcohol use and calorie restriction.
While drunkorexia is not a clinical diagnosis, experts in mental health and substance abuse view it as a harmful and complex pattern of behavior.
Common behaviors associated with drunkorexia include:
- Skipping meals to “save” calories for alcohol
- Excessive exercise to offset alcohol intake
- Binge drinking to purge or suppress appetite
Although it’s tempting to dismiss it as youthful experimentation, especially given its prevalence among college students, drunkorexia poses dangerous health and psychological consequences for anyone engaging in these patterns.
Risk Factors for Drunkorexia
While drunkorexia can affect men and women across different age groups, research shows it is most prevalent among college students, according to a study highlighted by NBC News, eight out of 10 college students who engage in binge drinking practice drunkorexia at least once a month.
Another alarming statistic reveals that approximately one-third of college students intentionally restrict food prior to drinking.
Other factors that contribute to the rise of drunkorexia include:
- Body image pressure: Social pressures often glorify thinness. This fixation can lead individuals to use alcohol and calorie restriction as weight-loss tools.
- Cultural norms: College culture frequently normalizes binge drinking, increasing the likelihood of combining it with unhealthy dieting behaviors.
- Stress and anxiety: The overwhelming transition to adulthood or academic pressure may push individuals to cope through alcohol misuse or disordered eating.
Symptoms of Drunkorexia
Identifying drunkorexia isn’t always straightforward, as those engaging in it may justify their habits as being part of health-conscious or social lifestyles. However, recognizing the warning signs early is critical.
Below are the physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms typically associated with drunkorexia:
Physical Symptoms
- Noticeable weight fluctuations
- Chronic dehydration
- Fatigue and low energy levels
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Hair thinning or skin changes (e.g., yellowing or paleness)
Behavioral Symptoms
- Skipping meals or heavily restricting food intake before planned nights of drinking
- Excessive concern about the calorie content of food or alcohol
- Relying on exercise, purging, or laxatives to “make up” for drinking
- Regular binge drinking or engaging in drinking sessions on an empty stomach
Emotional Symptoms
- Excessive guilt or shame surrounding eating or drinking
- Low self-esteem tied to body image
- Increased anxiety in social settings involving food or alcohol
- Emotional dysregulation, like irritability after consuming calories
If these symptoms resonate with you or someone you know, remember that drunkorexia is not just a ‘normal phase’—it’s a serious behavior that deserves attention and care.
The Risks of Drunkorexia
When food restriction and binge drinking collide, the consequences are often severe. These two behaviors not only amplify each other’s risks but also create new ones that target the entire body.
Drunkorexia can lead to serious short- and long-term damage, including:
Immediate Risks
- Alcohol poisoning: Consuming alcohol on an empty stomach accelerates absorption, raising blood alcohol concentration to dangerous levels.
- Blackouts or memory loss: A lack of nutrients coupled with intoxication impairs cognitive function, leading to memory issues.
- Physical injury: Heightened drunkenness from faster alcohol absorption increases susceptibility to accidents or bodily harm.
- Unwanted sexual encounters or risky behavior: Impaired judgment due to alcohol misuse can put individuals in vulnerable situations.
Long-Term Risks
- Liver disease: Mixing heavy drinking with nutritional deficiencies accelerates liver damage.
- Bone density loss (osteoporosis): Malnutrition weakens bone health.
- Cognitive decline: Sustained habits may lead to brain damage or memory impairment over time.
- Chronic fatigue and vitamin deficiencies: Without proper nutrition, the body struggles to recover from drinking, leading to longer-lasting fatigue.
Even more concerning is the link between drunkorexia and its potential to progress into more severe mental health problems, including an eating disorder, substance abuse disorder, or both.
5 Practical Treatment Options
Recovering from drunkorexia often requires addressing both disordered eating and alcohol misuse together, as the two behaviors are usually closely intertwined.
The good news? Treatment is possible, and recovery can vastly improve both physical and emotional well-being.
1. Therapeutic Intervention
Professional therapy focuses on uncovering the root causes of drunkorexia. A common approach for treating drunkorexia is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which works to target the destructive thought patterns fueling disordered behaviors.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can also help individuals regulate emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
2. Nutritional Counseling
Working with registered dietitians can educate individuals on the importance of balanced nutrition. These experts provide customized meal plans, aiming to rebuild trust with food and support physical healing.
3. Support Groups
Peer support networks, such as SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), or eating disorder recovery programs, can foster a sense of community and accountability.
4. Integrated Treatment Programs
Addiction Treatment facilities like Gatehouse Treatment specialize in treating co-occurring conditions and offer multiple levels of care. Intensive programs often address both eating disorders and substance abuse, ensuring patients have the tools they need to sustain long-term recovery.
5. Medical Supervision
For severe cases, such as those involving malnutrition or alcohol dependency, medical supervision is essential. Medical detox or hospitalization ensures the safety of individuals as they begin their recovery.
Seeking Help is a Brave First Step
If drunkorexia sounds familiar to you—either in your life or someone else’s—it’s essential to act. Early intervention is key to preventing the compounded risks of this dangerous behavior.
At Gatehouse Treatment, we recognize the unique challenges posed by disorders like drunkorexia. Our tailored programs address both eating and alcohol-related behaviors, empowering individuals to rediscover a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Take the first step today. Contact us at Gatehouse Treatment by calling us at (855) 448-3588 or reaching out via this online link. Your well-being is worth it.
Editorial Staff at GateHouse Treatment
Brittany Marie Flynn is a published blogger and former Registered Behavior Technician. Her content primarily focuses on Psychology-related topics like Addiction, Human Behavior, and Autism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and has done graduate-level work in Behavioral Science and Psychology. She currently writes content for GateHouse that helps vulnerable populations acquire the profound resources they need for support and lasting recovery.
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