“Drunkorexia” is a slang term that refers to the process of swapping food calories for calories contained in alcohol; essentially eating less so that one can drink more. The term is meant to evoke both the concept of an eating disorder and the concept of a substance use disorder as professionals disagree on the best way to classify the condition drunkorexia.
The two main motivations behind drunkorexia are:
- to lose or maintain weight
- to make it easier to reach a state of inebriation
While drunkorexia has been observed by and discussed among experts for decades, new research from the University of Houston suggests that this practice may be more widespread than initially believed. Of the 1,184 college students surveyed as a part of the study, more than 80% admitted to engaging in behaviors associated with drunkorexia.
In addition, the study suggests that men’s risk of developing drunkorexia has been steadily increasing. While women have long been known to struggle with this condition, the vulnerability of young men came as a surprise to researchers.
Drunkorexia is a unique condition in that it is a combination of two different types of disorders, but is not an example of a dual diagnosis. If you think that you or someone you love might be engaging in drunkorexia-associated behavior, you should seek the advice of a certified addiction specialist at the earliest opportunity.
The Asana Recovery Center offers a supervised detoxification and residential treatment program in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our facilities and find out whether our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program is a good fit for you.
