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
Prescription Drug Addiction
While an eating disorder can become a serious medical condition it can also lead to an extremely dangerous prescription drug addiction. There are a large number of people who choose to couple their eating disorder with prescription drug abuse in an attempt to manage feelings, lose weight or “control” any undesired weight.
For immediate help with a prescription drug addiction call The Center for Healthy Living’s 24-hour helpline at 1-800-542-6410. Caring professionals are standing by to help you find a safe and effective prescription drug addiction treatment program. All calls are confidential.
Prescription Drug Addiction – Symptoms & Consequences
Prescription drugs fall into three main categories: opioids, central nervous system depressants and central nervous system stimulants. Prescription drugs that are commonly used in conjunction with an eating disorder are the stimulants Ritalin and Dexedrine and depressants including Xanax and Valium.
When prescription medication is abused for an extended period of time the abuser can develop a prescription drug addiction. A prescription drug addiction is characterized by:
Excessive use of the drug
A chemical dependence on the drug
Drug tolerance
As a person gets deeper into their prescription drug addiction certain symptoms will begin to show. Some of the symptoms are:
Severe mood swings
Anxiety
Irritability
Depression
Sadness
Lack of energy
Prescription drug addiction can have many serious consequences, including:
Loss of employment
Poor grades
Poor attention span
Deteriorating interpersonal relationships
Isolation
Medial problems
Legal difficulties
As with any other drug addiction, overdose is also a possibility.
Prescription Drug Addiction and Eating Disorders
Most individuals struggling with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia have two goals; the loss of weight and the management of feelings. The person will try to achieve these goals through starving, purging or excessively exercising. Eating disorders have serious medical and psychological complications. A prescription drug addiction exacerbates an already dangerous eating disorder making prompt treatment imperative!
Individuals who have an eating disorder and a prescription drug addiction are considered to have a dual diagnosis. With the help of detox and medical stabilization, a patient can overcome their addiction. Once the drugs are discontinued, the patient can begin the process of breaking any binging, purging or restricting behavior. Our comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment program includes:
Medically-supervised drug detox to manage the drug withdrawal process
Drug rehabilitation
Nutritional counseling
Individual therapy
Experiential therapy
Relapse prevention
Group therapy
Family therapy
Aftercare
If you are suffering from a prescription drug addiction or eating disorder, please call our nationally recognized toll-free helpline today at 1-800-941-5313. Find treatment centers that can help you recover your health and reclaim your life. Caring professionals are standing by 24/7 to assist you and all calls are confidential.
