Supporting a Roommate Who Struggles With Drunkorexia

When it comes to eating disorders, many people think of the main three illnesses that are most frequently discussed, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. These three main eating disorders are some of the most common and deadly psychiatric illnesses around the globe; however, eating disorders are not limited to these three diagnoses.

Lesser known eating disorders can be just as deadly and reap a host of harmful consequences if there is not any professional intervention. In addition, any form of eating disorder or disordered eating often negatively impacts the quality of life of the individual suffering and those closest to them.

Lesser Known But Deadly Disorder

Among some of the lesser known forms of disordered eating is “drunkorexia,” a term used to characterize the behaviors of restriction and/or binge eating and purging, combined with alcohol abuse. Research has demonstrated the prevalence of drunkorexia among college students in particular, who typically engage in these behaviors as a means to avoid weight gain from alcohol ingestion [1].

One study in particular that surveyed college students found that about 30 percent of female students reported restricting caloric intake in order to consume a greater amount of alcohol, with men more likely to engage in similar behaviors with the intention of having more financial resources to spend on alcohol [1]. Students also reported engaging in these behaviors for two main reasons: 1) To facilitate alcohol ingestion, and 2) To prevent weight gain from alcohol ingestion.

If you are currently a college student, the chances are that you will likely observe abnormal behaviors among your peers, including everything from eating disorders, substance abuse, and even drunkorexia. If you have a roommate who is struggling with any form of these behaviors, you have undoubtedly encountered your own difficulties and dilemmas as you navigate living with a person whose behaviors are directly impacting you.

How can you best support a roommate who is dealing with drunkorexia?

Understanding Drunkorexia

It is first important to understand the issues that may be at hand in order to have an appropriate and gentle conversation with your roommate. What behaviors are occurring that are sending up the red flags? Do you notice your roommate dealing with a chaotic relationship with food? Does your roommate seem to avoid eating or avoid any social events where food is involved? Perhaps you have noticed your roommate deliberately trying to rid themselves of food or that they appear anxious when presented with food?

Drunkorexic behaviors include, but are not limited to [3]:

Deliberately missing or skipping meals when consuming alcohol
Consuming an extreme amount of alcohol to induce vomitting of previously ingested food
Calorie counting rigidly to account for alcohol consumption
Attempting to “purge” calories consumed from alcohol by restricting or over-exercising

The physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drunkorexia can be especially damaging. In a culture where college students may engage in these behaviors because everyone else seems to be doing the same thing, this can create a calloused effect to the potential dangers of these behaviors.

Supporting Your Roommate

While there is not a specific medical diagnosis for drunkorexia, there is professional treatment to intervene with eating disorders and substance abuse. If you suspect that your roommate might be dealing with drunkorexia, it is important not to turn a blind eye to their situation.

As people who are living in close proximity, the reality is that you might very well pick up on early signs and symptoms that other individuals may not necessarily be aware of. It may feel uncomfortable approaching your roommate about your concerns, but doing so from a place of care will help the conversation.

Always have a conversation in a place that feels safe to both of you and during a time where you are not feeling rushed or pressured. Express concerns using “I” statements, such as, “I feel worried when I see you drinking after not eating all day,” etc.

It may also help to come prepared to the conversation with resources that you can share with your roommate, such as counselor referrals, wellness centers, support groups, etc. If you’re a college student, check out your campus wellness center to see what mental health resources might be available. Even just by sharing some options with your roommate, you may plant a seed that helps them understand the severity of their issue.

There may be situations in which greater interventions are needed to help diffuse toxic living situations that may have been created by your roommate’s behaviors and issues. In this case, be sure to reach out for professional help, such as a residential assistant on a college campus, a counselor, or other trustworthy family or friends.

Living with a roommate who is struggling with drunkorexia is not an easy situation. By recognizing the problem at hand, having an honest discussion with your roommate and opening up the door to treatment, you can be a positive example for change.

 

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About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Director of Content and Social Media for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

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References:

[1]: Osborne, V. A.; Sher, K. J.; Winograd, R. P. (2011). “Disordered eating patterns and alcohol misuse in college students: Evidence for “drunkorexia”?”. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 52 (6): e12. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2011.04.038
[2]: Burke, S. C., Cremeens, J., & Vail-Smith, K. (2010). Drunkorexia: Calorie restriction prior to alcohol consumption among college freshman. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 54(2), 17-34
[3]: Chambers, R. A. (2008). “Drunkorexia”. Journal of Dual Diagnosis. 4 (4): 414–416. doi:10.1080/15504260802086677.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Published on May 23, 2017.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on May 17, 2017.
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com