{"id":2710,"date":"2025-08-07T03:58:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T03:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/?p=2710"},"modified":"2025-10-20T08:16:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T08:16:18","slug":"long-term-eating-disorders-from-chronic-drug-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/long-term-eating-disorders-from-chronic-drug-use\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-Term Eating Disorders From Chronic Drug Use"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2710\" class=\"elementor elementor-2710\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bda858d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bda858d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8391b51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8391b51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug use rewires basic human behavior. At the core of that behavior is eating. The way we nourish ourselves affects every cell, every thought, and every action. But when substance use disorder takes root, it flips the body&#8217;s natural hunger cues upside down. Individuals under the grip of drug addiction often skip meals, overeat, or develop severe aversions to food. Over time, these irregular patterns harden into chronic eating disorders. We\u2019ll explore how chronic drug use leads to long-term eating disorders, how these disorders develop, and why the road to recovery needs to address both issues together. So keep reading!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3141017 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3141017\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ac216d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5ac216d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae2779e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ae2779e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5136427 image-resize elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5136427\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/long-term-eating-disorders-from-chronic-drug-use.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2718\" alt=\"eating disorders caused by drug use\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84b7eee e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"84b7eee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e16b29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7e16b29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Drugs &amp; Disordered Eating Habits\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e50bc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e50bc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic drug use and eating disorders often cross paths, and when they do, they rarely part ways. A survey revealed that individuals with <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/what-health-problems-persist-after-quitting-drugs\/\">eating disorders and substance use disorders<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> frequently share common risk factors: low self-esteem, a distorted body image, compulsive behaviors, and histories of trauma. Both issues often begin as coping mechanisms for mental health issues like anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cde1ff8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cde1ff8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9a4dc1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e9a4dc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But here\u2019s the twist: these disorders feed into each other. People with binge eating disorder may use stimulants to suppress their food intake, while those with anorexia nervosa pursue starvation as a way to feel in control. On the flip side, many eating disorder patients fall into substance use as a way to numb emotional pain or enhance weight loss. This unhealthy loop leads to comorbid disorders that complicate diagnosis and treatment.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7997239 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7997239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When Anorexia Meets Addiction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e64552d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e64552d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/what-health-problems-persist-after-quitting-drugs\/\">anorexia nervosa and drug addiction<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> share some eerie similarities. People with anorexia nervosa behave similarly to those with addictive disorders. They restrict calories obsessively, sometimes combining extreme food restriction with excessive exercise \u2014 behaviors that mirror addictive behaviors found in drug abuse. Over time, their brains adapt to the cycle, reinforcing unhealthy routines.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substances like cocaine and amphetamines further fuel the fire by dulling the appetite and providing bursts of energy, reinforcing restricted food intake as a form of perceived success. Unfortunately, the longer this pattern continues, the harder it becomes to untangle the disorder from the substance use. That\u2019s where dual diagnosis comes into play.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83ae73e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"83ae73e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-150b8d4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"150b8d4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0078d32 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0078d32\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7231b9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7231b9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bulimia &amp; Binge Eating<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4380f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4380f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When drugs wear off, withdrawal symptoms can wreak havoc on mood and daily life. Emotional volatility, fatigue, and irritability are common. In this window, many turn to binge eating as a form of emotional release. It\u2019s not hunger, it\u2019s chaos relief. This type of disordered eating often spirals into bulimia nervosa, where individuals binge and then purge through vomiting, laxatives, or extreme excessive exercise.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e55ac0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5e55ac0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b0f3c9 image-resize-11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5b0f3c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/addiction-treatment-provider-near-me.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2719\" alt=\"substance use treatment at dragonfly medical\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65d6522 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"65d6522\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bd5f69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bd5f69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stimulants, opioids, and even cannabis use disorder play significant roles in these cycles. While cannabis may increase appetite (the &#8220;munchies&#8221;), opioids may delay digestion and cause individuals to go long periods without eating. These fluctuations damage the body\u2019s ability to self-regulate hunger, leading to permanent changes in how the body processes food. They\u2019re also vivid <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/signs-someone-may-need-drug-rehab\">signs someone needs rehab<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50affcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"50affcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Comorbid Substance Use Disorder<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7b2717 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b7b2717\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term comorbid substance use disorder describes the presence of both substance addiction and a coexisting mental health or behavioral disorder. In the world of eating disorders, it\u2019s the norm rather than the exception. Individuals with anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder often report using illicit drugs or other psychoactive substances to control weight or dull emotional pain.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, this co-occurrence isn&#8217;t rare. It\u2019s tragically common. These co-occurring disorders are not just statistically significant, they\u2019re clinically overwhelming. <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/benefits-of-suboxone-treatment\">Suboxone treatment works<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sometimes but treating one while ignoring the other almost guarantees relapse.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f5b296 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5f5b296\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed9e847 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ed9e847\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Schedule Appointment Now<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c520e7a elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"c520e7a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"tel:4235889978\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-phone\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M493.4 24.6l-104-24c-11.3-2.6-22.9 3.3-27.5 13.9l-48 112c-4.2 9.8-1.4 21.3 6.9 28l60.6 49.6c-36 76.7-98.9 140.5-177.2 177.2l-49.6-60.6c-6.8-8.3-18.2-11.1-28-6.9l-112 48C3.9 366.5-2 378.1.6 389.4l24 104C27.1 504.2 36.7 512 48 512c256.1 0 464-207.5 464-464 0-11.2-7.7-20.9-18.6-23.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Call Us 423-588-9978<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"tel:8052082919\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-sms\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 49.6 21.4 95 57 130.7C44.5 421.1 2.7 466 2.2 466.5c-2.2 2.3-2.8 5.7-1.5 8.7 1.3 3 4.1 4.8 7.3 4.8 66.3 0 116-31.8 140.6-51.4 32.7 12.3 69 19.4 107.4 19.4 141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zM128.2 304H116c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8v-16c0-4.4 3.6-8 8-8h12.3c6 0 10.4-3.5 10.4-6.6 0-1.3-.8-2.7-2.1-3.8l-21.9-18.8c-8.5-7.2-13.3-17.5-13.3-28.1 0-21.3 19-38.6 42.4-38.6H156c4.4 0 8 3.6 8 8v16c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-12.3c-6 0-10.4 3.5-10.4 6.6 0 1.3.8 2.7 2.1 3.8l21.9 18.8c8.5 7.2 13.3 17.5 13.3 28.1.1 21.3-19 38.6-42.4 38.6zm191.8-8c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-16c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8v-68.2l-24.8 55.8c-2.9 5.9-11.4 5.9-14.3 0L224 227.8V296c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-16c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8V192c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16h16c6.1 0 11.6 3.4 14.3 8.8l17.7 35.4 17.7-35.4c2.7-5.4 8.3-8.8 14.3-8.8h16c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16v104zm48.3 8H356c-4.4 0-8-3.6-8-8v-16c0-4.4 3.6-8 8-8h12.3c6 0 10.4-3.5 10.4-6.6 0-1.3-.8-2.7-2.1-3.8l-21.9-18.8c-8.5-7.2-13.3-17.5-13.3-28.1 0-21.3 19-38.6 42.4-38.6H396c4.4 0 8 3.6 8 8v16c0 4.4-3.6 8-8 8h-12.3c-6 0-10.4 3.5-10.4 6.6 0 1.3.8 2.7 2.1 3.8l21.9 18.8c8.5 7.2 13.3 17.5 13.3 28.1.1 21.3-18.9 38.6-42.3 38.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Text us 805-208-2919<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8240d21 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8240d21\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4a279b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b4a279b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Role of Mental Health<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b7735b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b7735b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Behind most eating disorder behaviors and drug addictions lie unresolved mental health conditions. Depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health conditions drive individuals toward either food or drugs, sometimes both.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add to that a family history of addiction or mental illness, traumatic life events, and low self-esteem, and you have the perfect storm for co-occurring addiction. These aren\u2019t habits. They\u2019re survival responses gone wrong.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3d8fa8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d3d8fa8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-115a74b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"115a74b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4747b70 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4747b70\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99955c9 image-resize-10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"99955c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rehabilitation-center-in-johnson-city.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2720\" alt=\"opioid abuse treatments johnson city tn\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bc956b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0bc956b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da0f8d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"da0f8d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Eating Disorders That Refuse to Let Go<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd8da13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fd8da13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term eating disorders from chronic drug use don\u2019t just fade away when the drugs stop. In many cases, the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/what-health-problems-persist-after-quitting-drugs\/\">disordered eating patterns stay long after<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the substance has left the bloodstream. Years of disordered eating, food restriction, and compulsive behaviors can cause profound, harmful physical damage to the heart, digestive tract, teeth, and bones.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf08606 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cf08606\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-671a965 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"671a965\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychologically, it\u2019s just as brutal. Guilt around food, fear of weight gain, and obsessive thoughts about body image can take years to unwind. Eating disorder patients in recovery often find themselves relapsing into either disordered eating or drug use. Without proper support, this seesaw never stops.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7af677a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7af677a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When Anorexia Meets Addiction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0432263 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0432263\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/what-health-problems-persist-after-quitting-drugs\/\">anorexia nervosa and drug addiction<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> share some eerie similarities. People with anorexia nervosa behave similarly to those with addictive disorders. They restrict calories obsessively, sometimes combining extreme food restriction with excessive exercise \u2014 behaviors that mirror addictive behaviors found in drug abuse. Over time, their brains adapt to the cycle, reinforcing unhealthy routines.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substances like cocaine and amphetamines further fuel the fire by dulling the appetite and providing bursts of energy, reinforcing restricted food intake as a form of perceived success. Unfortunately, the longer this pattern continues, the harder it becomes to untangle the disorder from the substance use. That\u2019s where dual diagnosis comes into play.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a35c2c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9a35c2c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f42462 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8f42462\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf02b95 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bf02b95\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d2bf63 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d2bf63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Treatment Needs a Unified Approach<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfee36e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dfee36e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can\u2019t treat eating disorders in a vacuum when substance abuse is involved. Similarly, you can\u2019t handle drug addiction without addressing the disordered eating that may have started it or grown alongside it. These issues are deeply connected to the disease pattern.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-614f183 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"614f183\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-356d880 image-resize-10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"356d880\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/marijuana-addiction-recovery-dragonfly-medical.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2721\" alt=\"avoiding relapse after addiction recovery\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d026889 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d026889\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-177112b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"177112b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clinics that specialize in co-occurring addiction use residential treatment programs that offer clinical services, exposure therapies, nutritional guidance, and mental health counseling. The treatment process is an ongoing, individualized approach, rather than a universal prescription. It needs to address emotional regulation, food habits, body image, and addiction treatment simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7125276 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7125276\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When Anorexia Meets Addiction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-768cb02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"768cb02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/what-health-problems-persist-after-quitting-drugs\/\">anorexia nervosa and drug addiction<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> share some eerie similarities. People with anorexia nervosa behave similarly to those with addictive disorders. They restrict calories obsessively, sometimes combining extreme food restriction with excessive exercise \u2014 behaviors that mirror addictive behaviors found in drug abuse. Over time, their brains adapt to the cycle, reinforcing unhealthy routines.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substances like cocaine and amphetamines further fuel the fire by dulling the appetite and providing bursts of energy, reinforcing restricted food intake as a form of perceived success. Unfortunately, the longer this pattern continues, the harder it becomes to untangle the disorder from the substance use. That\u2019s where dual diagnosis comes into play.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5be30e8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5be30e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64979c5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"64979c5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d2e14c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5d2e14c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ae7d08 image-resize-10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7ae7d08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/substance-abuse-disorders.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2722\" alt=\"substance abuse counseling\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a621ed e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4a621ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6399b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6399b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Breaking the Cycle<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d060f29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d060f29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the weight of this issue, there is hope. Early detection of comorbid substances and eating disorders is key. Understanding the diagnostic criteria, creating custom treatment plans, and involving family members in treatment programs can help restore stability.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most importantly, recovery should never focus solely on the visible symptoms. The obsession with weight loss or the compulsion to use drugs isn\u2019t the root problem. It\u2019s the signal flare. Digging deeper and offering comprehensive support gives individuals the best shot at breaking free from the mental prison of addiction and disordered eating.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03a0ded e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"03a0ded\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60eae1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"60eae1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5f1949 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5f1949\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating disorders and substance use don\u2019t just coexist \u2014 they cooperate in destroying lives. But with the proper support, individuals can pull back from the edge. It takes professional care, emotional safety, and a relentless focus on treating the mental health issues at the core. If you or someone you know is facing this battle, know this: healing is possible. But it\u2019s never just about quitting drugs or eating more vegetables. It\u2019s about rebuilding from the inside out.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05db27a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"05db27a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Fixing Drug-Related Eating Disorders at Dragonfly\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4b986d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b4b986d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Dragonfly Medical<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> understands the complex interplay between addiction and disordered eating patterns. We offer a specialized approach to heal both. Our addiction treatment program is focused on dual diagnosis, tackling underlying mental health challenges contributing to your eating disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We delve into the roots of these behaviors, while our <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/certified-peer-recovery-specialist-services.html\">peer recovery<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/group-support\">group support<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> guides you toward rebuilding a healthy, balanced relationship with food and your body. Don&#8217;t let these dual challenges control your life any longer. Contact us today to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/contact-us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>schedule your appointment<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drug use rewires basic human behavior. At the core of that behavior is eating. The way we nourish ourselves affects every cell, every thought, and every action. But when substance use disorder takes root, it flips the body&#8217;s natural hunger cues upside down. Individuals under the grip of drug addiction often skip meals, overeat, or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2710"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3066,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2710\/revisions\/3066"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragonflymedicalandbehavioralhealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}