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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released an advisory on the relationship between eating disorders and substance use disorders (SUD).
- It provides health care practitioners with tools to implement evidence-based, integrated, person-centered care to help individuals with these co-occurring disorders.
The numbers: According to an accompanying blog, more than 1 in 4 individuals with an eating disorder also meet the criteria for a co-occurring SUD, and up to 35% of those with SUD have eating disorders.
- The co-occurring disorders occur at higher rates among women (half of women with eating disorders have SUD, 16% of women with SUD have an eating disorder).
The details:
- Eating disorders and SUD often share underlying causes, including genetic predisposition, trauma, emotional dysregulation, adverse childhood experiences, etc.
- Both disorders involve compulsive behaviors, cravings, and use of food and/or substances as a coping mechanism.
- The disorders can exacerbate each other. For example, individuals with binge eating disorder may use stimulants for appetite suppression, perpetuating a dangerous cycle.
- Treating both disorders together is vital. Integrated care that addresses the disorders concurrently through holistic, person-centered approaches, along with community and family involvement, are important parts of treatment and recovery.
Read more: Here’s How to Support People with Both Eating and Substance Use Disorders
Published
January 2026