RESEARCH UPDATE Eating Disorders and Alcohol Use Disorders

Abstract

Alcoholism and eating disorders frequently co-occur and often co-occur in the presence of other psychiatric and personality disorders. Although this co-occurrence suggests the possibility of common or shared factors in the etiology of these two problems, research to date has not established such links. Regardless of the precise meaning of the association, the reality that eating disorders and alcohol use disorders frequently co-occur has important implications for assessment, treatment, and future research. KEY WORDS: eating disorder; personality disorder; AODD (alcohol and other drug dependence); comorbidity; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; gender differences; diet; coping skills; cognitive therapy; behavior therapy; psychosocial treatment method Numerous studies suggest that eating disorders (EDs) and alcohol and other drug use disorders (referred to throughout this paper as substance use disorders [SUDs]) frequently co-occur and often co-occur in the pres ence of other psychiatric and personality disorders. This review will consider the extent and nature of such co-occurrences and whether research supports the possibility of common or shared factors in the etiology or maintenance of EDs and SUDs. The reality that EDs and SUDs frequently co-occur has important implications for assessment, treatment, and future research. Although this review will offer implications for clinicians and researchers in both fields, the presentation bias will be toward providing a more detailed discussion of the ED literature for professionals in the alcoholism field