Eating Disorders
Anorexia
Learn more about Anorexia treatment today.
Anorexia Treatment
Anorexia is a serious and potentially deadly disorder; unfortunately, it often co-occurs with other disorders, including substance misuse. When someone has anorexia and an addiction to drugs or alcohol, a dual-diagnosis treatment program can help them recover.
Centric Behavioral Health offers anorexia treatment as part of our comprehensive rehab programs. Programs at Centric Behavioral Health are offered and throughout the country, so you can get the help you need and deserve.
Understanding Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder, also known as anorexia nervosa. Someone with anorexia will place the highest priority on controlling their weight and the shape of their body. They may have an abnormally low and unhealthy body weight, an extreme fear of gaining weight, and distortions in how they perceive weight. When someone struggles with anorexia, the extreme nature of their actions causes distress and significantly interferes with their life.
A person with anorexia usually relies on severe food restrictions and low-calorie intake. Anorexia can include the use of diet aids, laxatives, diuretics or enemas, and excessive exercise.
No matter how thin a person with anorexia is or becomes, they continue to fear gaining weight.
It’s challenging to overcome eating disorders like anorexia, and they quickly take over a person’s life. Treatment is available, however.
Centric Behavioral Health is a dual diagnosis provider of anorexia treatment in Florida. Dual diagnosis treatment refers to treatment programs that integrate addiction treatment and treatment for other co-occurring mental health disorders. Simultaneous treatment helps improve recovery outcomes.
What Are the Symptoms of Anorexia?
The physical symptoms of anorexia include:
Extreme weight lossBeing very thinFatigueInsomniaFainting or dizzinessThin hair that easily breaks or falls outSoft hair covering the bodyFingers with a bluish discolorationLack of menstruationConstipation and abdominal painCold intoleranceYellowish or dry skinDehydrationLow blood pressureIrregular heart rhythmsSwelling of the arms or legsEroded teeth
The behavioral and emotional symptoms of anorexia can include:
- Severely restricted food intake, including fasting and dieting
- Excessive exercise
- Binging and forced vomiting
- Being preoccupied with food, which can include cooking meals and not eating them
- Skipping meals
- Denying being hungry
- Making excuses for not eating
- Only eating certain foods that are considered “safe.”
- Not eating in public
- Repeatedly weighing or measuring oneself
- Wearing layers of clothing
- Lack of emotion
- Social withdrawal
- Reduced interest in sex
- Irritability
The specific causes of anorexia and other eating disorders aren’t entirely understood, but as is true with most mental health disorders, they are multifactorial. Biological, psychological, and environmental factors may cause anorexia.
Biologically, genetic variations might put people at risk of anorexia, such as a tendency to want to be perfect. Psychologically, some people who have anorexia have personality traits that are obsessive-compulsive. There are also environmental elements, such as a Western culture that values thinness and peer pressure, especially among young females.
Anorexia can have serious health complications if untreated; it’s deadly in the most severe cases.
Complications of anorexia can include:
AnemiaHeart problemsBone problemsIncreased risk of fracturesMuscle lossAbsence of a periodDecreased testosterone in malesGastrointestinal problemsAbnormal electrolyte levelsKidney problems
If someone becomes extremely malnourished, it can damage all of their organs, including their heart, brain, and kidneys, and that damage may not be entirely reversible.
It’s common for people with anorexia to have other mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, self-injury, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and alcohol and drug misuse.
Centric Behavioral Health is an anorexia rehab center in Florida. Our eating disorder treatment programs are part of our comprehensive substance abuse treatment programs for people with addictions to drugs or alcohol.
Treatments Options
Our programs provide world-class, evidence-based treatment for substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and mental health conditions, all within boutique, supportive environments. With expertly trained staff and personalized treatment plans, you can trust that choosing one of our facilities means receiving the highest standard of care tailored to your unique needs.
Inpatient Program
Partial Hospitalization
Intensive Outpatient
Outpatient Treatment
Supportive Housing
Aftercare
Substance Abuse and Anorexia
If someone has anorexia, they are at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder or addiction. These addictions can include alcohol, stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines, or drugs like benzodiazepines.
A substance use disorder can occur before someone has symptoms of an eating disorder, around the same time as an eating disorder, or after recovering from anorexia or a similar condition.
It’s estimated that up to 50% of people with an eating disorder use alcohol or drugs, and this rate is around five times higher than the general population. As much as 35% of people with alcohol dependence or dependence on other substances also had an eating disorder, and that’s 11 times greater than the general population.
There are various reasons for the overlap between anorexia and other eating disorders with addiction.
First, there are similar risk factors. For example, brain chemistry, depression, anxiety, social pressure, and low self-esteem are risk factors for anorexia and addiction. Other characteristics linking the two include social isolation, suicide risk, and compulsive behavior.
When someone has anorexia, they might use substances to help them reduce their food intake. Stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines are significant appetite reducers. Substances might also be used to self-medicate the symptoms of an untreated eating disorder.
Centric Behavioral Health offers evidence-based Florida anorexia treatment as part of our rehab programs. These programs include leading-edge research-based approaches to treatment, along with a sense of compassion.
Centric Behavioral Health Group Can Help
Treating anorexia and a co-occurring substance use disorder is challenging and requires a specialized approach. There may be a combination of different behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, individual counseling, and group therapy. Treatment might also include medication management when necessary. Treatment might include nutritional rehabilitation for someone with an eating disorder.
A person with co-occurring disorders may participate in one type of treatment or multiple program types, known as a continuum of care. Levels of care can include one or more of the following:
- Residential inpatient programs include living onsite in an immersive and personalized treatment environment.
- Partial hospitalization programs at Centric Behavioral Health are transitional day programs as someone prepares for more freedom and accountability in their recovery.
- Intensive outpatient programs offer flexibility in your treatment and are available during the day or at night.
- Outpatient rehab at Centric Behavioral Health is considered a step-down care level that helps facilitate your long-term recovery.
- When needed, we offer supportive housing if you’re participating in one of our outpatient programs.
If you are looking for addiction treatment services in Florida or near you, Centric Behavioral Health can help. If you’d like to learn more about our inpatient drug rehab centers, contact us today.
Contact us today to learn more about our expert programs and how we can help you find long-term healing today.