I have a wife with bulimia and it was getting to the point where I couldn't take it any more. She needed bulimia treatment badly, but I didn't know where to turn. Through the internet I came across your site and sent my wife for bulimia treatment at your center.
Whoever she first spoke with made her feel so comfortable, she even became excited about the possibility of not having to binge and purge any more. The change in her is amazing. I know she will always be recovering, but I am proud to say she is the most courageous person I know. Thank you for all of your help.
-- Preston V., Nashua, New Hampshire
I needed to find an eating disorder clinic so badly. I used to eat compulsively and had swung over completely to purging and laxatives. I felt so bad about myself, the shame and guilt was just killing me. I had been to an eating disorder clinic before, but they really did not address my mood swings, that I have since understood them to be a bipolar disorder.
Your staff kept telling me that my eating behavior was a symptom of other problems. Well even though I didn't believe them they turned out to be right. I don't use laxatives, I have even learned to exercise moderately. Thank you so much. By the way, it has been ten months since I last purged.
-- Bonnie S., Boston, Massachusetts
Well Shelly, I told you I would write when I had one year in recovery and here I am. Who would have guessed. I have so much gratitude for you taking your time and referring me to a great facility. I knew from the moment I walked in there that I was in the right place. The next time I come by it will be to visit, not as a patient. You are absolutely the greatest.
-- Venessa C., Raleigh, North Carolina
Drug Addiction Treatment Programs & Eating Disorders
Commonly asked questions about eating disorders and alcohol / drug addiction treatment programs
Find eating disorder, alcohol abuse and drug addiction treatment programs by calling our nationally recognized toll-free eating disorder helpline at 1-800-941-5313. Get the help you need to recover your health and reclaim your life. Caring professionals are standing by 24/7 to assist you and all calls are confidential.
If a person suffers from drug addiction, alcohol abuse and an eating disorder, which do you treat first?
This is a great question as it goes to the very heart of dual diagnosis treatment. It is a well known fact that when treating someone with a dual diagnosis, the addiction and psychiatric disorder must be treated co-currently if the treatment is to be effective. If one disorder remains untreated, it will act as a catalyst for relapse concerning the other. The treatment philosophy regarding dual diagnosis treatment remains intact with regards to eating disorder and drug addiction, where the drug addiction and eating disorder must be treated simultaneously.
Regardless of which illness or addiction is primary, if a person continues to use drugs while being treated for an eating disorder or eats compulsively, binges or purges while recovering from a drug addiction, it won't be long before they completely relapse from both disorders. Self esteem is a critical element in maintaining long term recovery and it is nearly impossible to maintain the level of self esteem required when a person is engaged in self destructive behavior.
What are my treatment options? Should I seek out rehab centers, alcohol / drug addiction treatment programs, eating disorder programs, or dual diagnosis treatment programs?
As if treatment for eating disorders, drug abuse or alcohol abuse isn't challenging enough, it can become even more confusing when deciding where to go for treatment. In most cases, but not all, when a person is dealing with an eating disorder, drug addiction or alcohol addiction, the person's thoughts regarding food and weight predated the onset of their drug addiction. Generally speaking, this would make the eating disorder the primary condition and usually the last the patient would choose to relinquish. This tells us the patient will require comprehensive treatment around the eating disorder.
If the process of locating eating disorder, alcohol abuse and drug addiction treatment programs becomes confusing and a bit overwhelming, you can always call the national eating disorder helpline at 1-800-941-5313.
It is always wise when dealing with drug addiction or alcoholism to look for alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs that are medically-based. Medically-based alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs have detox staff that are able to help patients deal with drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms and any resulting medical issues that may present themselves. In looking for a drug detox program for a person with an eating disorder, it is equally important that the staff is capable of addressing and effectively managing the eating disorder behavior of each patient. Remember, as the person with an eating disorder begins to detox from their drug addiction or alcohol addiction, there tends to be an increase in their bingeing, purging or restricting behavior as a means to regain control of their feelings. Staff at alcohol / drug addiction treatment programs must understand the dynamics associated with a person suffering from compulsive eating, bulimia or anorexia going through the process of inpatient detox.
Please realize that when people with an eating disorder decide to refrain from their eating disorder behavior, they experience psychological withdrawal symptoms similar to the addict or alcoholic and will look for any way possible to eliminate those feelings of depression, anxiety, anger or fear. A drug detox program or alcohol detox program is not treatment, just as eating disorder detox is not treatment. For there to be successful long term recovery, actual drug rehab, alcohol rehab or eating disorder treatment must take place.
