Statistics on bulimia and alcohol addiction
There is a high overlap between bulimia and alcohol addiction. According to the available research, around 46% of people with bulimia nervosa have an alcohol use disorder (alcoholism), which is the clinical term for an alcohol addiction, at some point during their lives. (2)
Earlier research has shown that alcohol use disorders are more common among people with bulimia nervosa when compared to individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN). For the majority of people, the development of the eating disorder occurs prior to the development of an alcohol use disorder. (3)
Why the overlap?
Statistics have established that alcohol use disorders are prevalent among people with bulimia nervosa, and research into this matter provides some insight into the overlap between bulimia and alcoholism. One study found that there seem to be overlapping symptoms that occur with both bulimia nervosa and alcohol misuse. (4)
For example, binge drinking was found to be common to bulimia nervosa and alcohol misuse. Furthermore, guilt about drinking and feelings of body dissatisfaction also tended to occur together, and study authors concluded that underlying shame likely contributes to both of these symptoms. Based upon the findings of this study, it was concluded that there are thinking patterns that are common to both bulimia nervosa and alcohol addiction. In addition, drinking and eating disorder behaviors can both serve as an unhealthy way of coping. (4)
Additional research has found that individuals who live with both bulimia nervosa and an alcohol use disorder often have anxious, perfectionistic, and impulsive personality traits. (3) It is possible that these traits can contribute to both bulimia nervosa and alcohol addiction. There is also evidence that depression among individuals with bulimia nervosa can increase the risk of an alcohol use disorder. Finally, history of trauma from physical or sexual abuse can increase the risk of bulimia nervosa, as well as the risk of alcohol addiction. (2)
Based upon the total body of research, it appears that bulimia nervosa and alcohol addiction may occur together because of risk factors that contribute to the development of both conditions. For instance, underlying mental health conditions can lead to coping through alcohol misuse and eating disorder behaviors. Harmful thinking patterns, such as those surrounding shame and perfectionism, can also lead to the development of both bulimia nervosa and alcohol addiction.
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Treating co-occurring bulimia and alcohol abuse
Patients who live with both bulimia nervosa and alcohol addiction can recover with treatment. When selecting a treatment program, it is important to choose one that addresses both conditions. If an eating disorder is untreated, a person may return to alcohol misuse in order to cope, and vice versa. When people have co-occurring conditions like bulimia nervosa and an alcohol use disorder, the conditions are often treated with a combination of medication and therapy, with treatment plans individualized to meet a patient’s unique needs. (5)
Some specific therapies have been found to be beneficial for treating co-occurring disorders. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to help people to change irrational thinking patterns, and it can allow them to alter their unhealthy beliefs pertaining to body image and alcohol consumption. Another form of therapy called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can also be beneficial, as it teaches skills for managing emotions and reducing self-destructive behaviors like substance misuse and self-harm. (5)
While recovering from both bulimia nervosa and alcohol addiction may feel incredibly daunting, help is available and it is never too late to start the healing process.
Takwimu kuhusu bulimia na uraibu wa kileo Kuna uhusiano mkubwa kati ya bulimia na uraibu wa kileo. Kulingana na utafiti wa hivi karibuni, karibu 46% ya watu walio na bulimia nervosa wana tatizo la kutumia pombe (alkoholiki), ambayo ni neno la kliniki kwa ulevi, wakati fulani katika maisha yao. Utafiti wa hivi karibuni unaonyesha kuwa watu wenye ugonjwa wa bulimia nervosa wana matatizo ya kunywa pombe mara nyingi kuliko wale wenye ugonjwa wa anorexia nervosa. Kwa watu wengi, ugonjwa wa kula hutokea kabla ya ugonjwa wa kunywa pombe. (3) Kwa nini kuna mambo mengi yanayofanana? Takwimu zinaonyesha kwamba matatizo ya kunywa pombe ni ya kawaida miongoni mwa watu wenye ugonjwa wa bulimia nervosa, na utafiti kuhusu jambo hilo unatoa ufahamu fulani kuhusu uhusiano kati ya ugonjwa huo na ulevi. Uchunguzi mmoja uligundua kwamba kuna dalili zinazofanana zinazotokea wakati wa bulimia nervosa na matumizi mabaya ya kileo. Kwa mfano, kunywa pombe kupita kiasi ni jambo la kawaida katika ugonjwa wa bulimia nervosa na matumizi mabaya ya kileo. Zaidi ya hayo, hatia ya kunywa na hisia za kutoridhika na mwili pia zilikuwa pamoja, na waandishi wa utafiti walimalizia kwamba aibu ya msingi inawezekana kuchangia dalili hizi zote mbili. Kwa kuzingatia matokeo ya utafiti huu, ilifikiwa mkataa kwamba kuna mifumo ya kufikiri ambayo ni ya kawaida kwa bulimia nervosa na ulevi. Kwa kuongezea, tabia za kunywa na kula zisizo za kawaida zinaweza kuwa njia isiyo ya afya ya kukabiliana nazo. Utafiti mwingine unaonyesha kwamba watu wanaougua ugonjwa wa bulimia na ulevi mara nyingi huwa na tabia ya kuwa na wasiwasi, kutaka ukamilifu, na kuwa na mwelekeo wa kufanya mambo. (3) Inawezekana kwamba sifa hizo zaweza kuchangia ugonjwa wa bulimia nervosa na ulevi. Pia kuna uthibitisho kwamba kushuka moyo miongoni mwa watu walio na bulimia nervosa kunaweza kuongeza hatari ya kupatwa na ugonjwa wa kutumia kileo. Kwa sababu ya historia ya unyanyasaji wa kimwili au wa kingono, kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa kupata ugonjwa wa bulimia nervosa. Kulingana na utafiti wa jumla, inaonekana kwamba bulimia nervosa na uraibu wa kileo unaweza kutokea pamoja kwa sababu ya sababu za hatari zinazochangia maendeleo ya hali zote mbili. Kwa mfano, hali za msingi za afya ya akili zaweza kusababisha kukabiliana na matumizi mabaya ya kileo na tabia za matatizo ya kula. Mifumo ya kufikiri yenye kudhuru, kama vile ile inayohusu aibu na kutaka ukamilifu, yaweza pia kusababisha ugonjwa wa bulimia nervosa na ulevi. Kwa mfano, unaweza kuwa na tatizo la bulimia na ulevi, lakini kwa wale ambao wana tatizo la bulimia na ulevi, unaweza kupata nafuu. Unapochagua mpango wa matibabu, ni muhimu kuchagua ule unaoshughulikia hali zote mbili. Ikiwa ugonjwa wa kula haupati matibabu, mtu anaweza kurudi kutumia kileo vibaya ili kukabiliana na tatizo hilo, na kinyume chake. Wakati watu wana hali ya co-kutokea kama bulimia nervosa na ugonjwa wa matumizi ya pombe, hali mara nyingi hutibiwa na mchanganyiko wa dawa na tiba, na mipango ya matibabu ya kibinafsi ili kukidhi mahitaji ya kipekee ya mgonjwa. (5) Baadhi ya matibabu maalum yamegunduliwa kuwa yenye manufaa kwa kutibu magonjwa yanayotokea wakati uleule. Kwa mfano, tiba ya tabia ya utambuzi (CBT) imeonyeshwa kusaidia watu kubadilisha mifumo ya kufikiri isiyo ya busara, na inaweza kuwawezesha kubadilisha imani zao zisizo na afya zinazohusiana na picha ya mwili na matumizi ya pombe. Tiba ya tabia ya dialectical (DBT) pia inaweza kusaidia kupunguza tabia za kujidhuru kama vile matumizi mabaya ya dawa za kulevya na kujidhuru. Ingawa kupona kutokana na bulimia na ulevi kunaweza kuonekana kuwa jambo gumu sana, msaada unapatikana na kamwe si kuchelewa sana kuanza mchakato wa uponyaji.