Drunkorexia is a dangerous combination of eating disorders and alcohol abuse, particularly affecting women of college age. It is caused by the glorification of thin bodies and the acceptability of binge drinking in Western society. Prevention programs focus on healthy eating and moderate alcohol consumption.
Drunkorexia is a term coined to describe a disturbing intersection between eating disorders and alcohol abuse. Drunkards, aware of the high calorie content of alcohol, choose to limit their food intake to compensate for their alcohol consumption. The result, as one might imagine, is malnutrition, leading to rapid weight loss and an assortment of other health problems. Drunkorexia is made even more problematic than traditional anorexia because it also complements the problem of alcoholism, creating a condition that is very difficult to cure.
According to studies conducted by organizations specializing in eating disorders, drunkenness is especially a problem for women, especially those of college age, who are also susceptible to binge drinking. Some people studying the problem have suggested that it is caused by the glorification of weight loss and extremely thin bodies in Western society, and exacerbated by the fact that drinking alcohol is considered trendy and expected, especially among young people. Alcoholism and binge drinking have to some extent become socially acceptable in some groups, making drunkenness an extremely complex problem.
Like many eating disorders, drunkenness typically begins slowly. A woman might, for example, decide to forego a large evening meal out of concern about the calories she intends to consume later while she drinks. Some diet programs like Weight Watchers even encourage this behavior by reminding their adherents of the calories in alcohol and encouraging them to plan their calorie intakes wisely; the goal of such programs, of course, is not to encourage drunkenness but to encourage women to drink moderately and eat well. Over time, the woman may begin to reduce her meals more and more to drink, worried about becoming or staying thin, and full-blown drunkenness will develop.
This condition is sometimes associated with bulimia, an eating disorder that involves a cycle of bingeing and purging. Both anorexia and bulimia can be extremely dangerous on their own, but when combined with alcoholism, the effects can be particularly problematic. A drunkard is prone to all the problems associated with binge drinking such as blackouts, health problems related to alcohol abuse, and sexual or physical abuse while intoxicated, and must also contend with the effects of a serious eating disorder.
Some colleges have recognized the drinking problem, offering courses and counseling to young women to encourage them to think healthily about eating. Prevention programs typically focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining moderate overall alcohol consumption; some programs also attempt to address the deification of thin bodies in Western society in an effort to get to the root of the problem.
If someone you know is showing signs of being drunk, you might encourage them to seek advice. This is especially true if the suspected drunk has ever been hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning or malnutrition. Keep in mind, however, that many people with eating disorders and drinking problems go to great lengths to hide them, and your intervention will likely be met with substantial opposition. If you are on a college campus, you may want to ask resident assistants, instructors, and other college staff for help.
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