What+is+an+Eating+Disorder+and+How+its+Related+to+Alcohol+Abuse?

= **What is an Eating Disorder and How is it Related to Alcohol/Drug Abuse? ** =

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The Public Health Agency of Canada defines an //eating disorder// as “a serious disturbance in eating behavior - either eating too much or too little - in addition to great concern over body size and shape." An eating disorder can include any various disorder such as anorexia, nervosa or bulimia. Alcohol abuse is excessive use of alcohol. Drug abuse is the excessive use of a drug substance. =====

=How are eating disorders and substance abuse linked? = Eating Disorders are most commonly linked to substance abuse because they both share the same risk factors and characteristics. When a person develops an eating disorder their chance of becoming associated with drugs increases. This may happen because they want to numb the pain, reduce effects such as anxiety and/or stress, and there is lack of security, love, and affection.

-same brain chemistry
-common family history -low self esteem, depression and anxiety -history with sexual and physical abuse -have unhealthy values, and beliefs -have unhealthy relationships -cause obsessive, secretive, and compulsive behaviours

=Share Characteristics are: =

-Intensive therapy
=Some Common Substances are: = -alcohol -diet pills <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-aspirin <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-caffeine <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-cigarettes <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-cocaine and heroin <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-weed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-hallucinogens <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-pain killers

=**<span style="color: #09e109; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What Causes Eating Disorders? **= <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">There is no definite cause for eating disorders, but there are several factors that motivate people to turn to such a dysfunctional illness. They include: numbing emotional pain, to comfort themselves, to avoid intimacy, to ask for attention, to escape from a demanding world, to express anger, to rebel against authority, to punish themselves, to release tension, to fill empty space, and to give themselves a sense that they are doing something important. Although all these factors seem like a lot, there are more. Some such as personality traits, home environment, and physical and/or genetic roots as well that help develop these disorders.