What are the Risks Binge Eating And Drinking Alcohol?

Excessive use of alcohol and binge eating disorder frequently co-occur. Binge drinking alcohol, binge eating and any other compulsive bingeing behavior is likely an attempt to deal with negative emotions.

Binge Eating and Alcohol

Excessive use of alcohol and binge eating disorder frequently co-occur. Binge drinking alcohol, binge eating and any other compulsive bingeing behavior is likely an attempt to deal with negative emotions. This overindulgence is neither healthy nor rational. This type of behavior prevents someone from effectively dealing with emotional triggers. Someone ’s emotional state may worsen when engaging in bingeing because it can lead to feelings of shame, guilt and self-pity.

How Does Alcohol Affect Binge Eating?

Alcohol reduces someone’s inhibitions. As a result, people may act on impulses they would normally suppress after drinking to excess. This is one way that alcohol can trigger binge eating. Bingeing related disorders often are related to negative feelings like depression. After consuming alcohol many people feel anxious or depressed. Binge eating may occur to reduce these after-effects of drinking with hopes that it may improve mood.

Can Alcoholism Cause Binge Eating?

Researchers have found binge eating after drinking alcohol is common. While it may seem counterintuitive because alcohol typically has a lot of calories, it appears that ingesting alcohol increases hunger.

Excessive drinking may activate the same part of the brain as hunger causing binge eating. The more frequently someone drinks excessively, the more likely they are to engage in a pattern of binge eating.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Binge Eating and Alcoholism

Studies have shown that people who have both an eating disorder and a substance use disorder have more severe symptoms and poorer treatment outcomes. However, treatment can still be effective and recovery is possible. Factors of effective  treatment for co-occurring disorders include:

• Challenging unhelpful attitudes and beliefs
• Increasing coping skills
• Identifying potential obstacles
• Creating a setback prevention plan
• Educating the patient about similarities between the disorders and risks of the disorders
• Dietary education and planning

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) appears particularly helpful for people with co-occurring disorders. Someone going through  DBT will be taught skills and engage in homework assignments intended to help practice the skills. DBT consists of individual therapy, group skills training, and phone coaching between sessions.

Helping a Loved One With Binge Eating and Alcohol Addiction

If you believe a loved one may be struggling with an alcohol use disorder, you can take this self-assessment to help identify symptoms. After the results are emailed to you, you’ll also be provided with information that can help you with learning about treatment options for you or your loved one.

Key Points: Binge Eating and Alcoholism

Some relevant facts to remember about binge eating and alcoholism include:

• When a substance use disorder occurs along with an eating disorder such as binge eating disorder, stakes are raised.
• Whether the eating disorder or the alcohol use disorder came first, prompt treatment to address both disorders is imperative.

If you or someone you know is struggling with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders like binge eating and alcohol abuse, help is available. At The Recovery Village Drug and , a team of professionals offers several treatment programs for substance use and mental health disorders. Call and speak with a representativeto learn more about which program could work for you.

Editor – Jennifer Kopf

Jennifer Kopf is a Florida-based writer who likes to balance creative writing with helpful and informative pieces. Her passion for helping people has translated into writing about the importance of treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Denise-Marie Griswold, LCAS

Denise-Marie Griswold is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. She earned her Master's Degree in Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling from East Carolina University in 2014. Read more