Alcohorexia, A New Eating Disorder
Although his name is a true unknown to many, its incidence is increasing. Alcohorexia is a very serious eating disorder that is present in today’s society. It is characterized by the fact that the subject who suffers from it chooses to substitute the calories that the nutrients and food provide for those existing in alcoholic beverages, with the aim of losing weight.
In addition, not eating food can lead to an anemic process of arduous remission in the long term. If, in addition, we add the damage caused to numerous organs of our body by habitual, excessive and fasting alcohol consumption, the damage increases exponentially. This disease is a double problem: the mixture of an eating disorder and alcohol addiction. Let’s see in detail what it consists of.
Stop eating, to drink
People who suffer from alcohorexia are very concerned about their weight, but they do not go to the nutritionist or the relevant doctor for a proper metabolic diet. As in other eating disorders (ED), their obsession makes them stop eating without professional supervision, along with an extra risk factor: drinking alcohol in large quantities.
The ultimate goal of these people is to lose weight by performing two actions. On the one hand, recklessly inhibiting their food intake and, on the other, consuming alcohol without measure. They consider the latter as the substitute for their diet. The danger to health is such that in many cases they end up with their life.
Comorbidity
Experts agree that alcoholic beverages is considered a type of unspecified eating disorder (NECD) that, on many occasions, is accompanied by bulimia and anorexia. On multiple occasions, these people induce vomiting to get rid of the excess calories from alcohol that they have ingested.
However, it may also be the case that there are people with alcohol, but that the eating disorder is not associated with it. That is, he eats little and badly and drinks very regularly.
Physical consequences
The most serious consequence of alcoholism is ethyl coma. A high amount of alcohol in the blood can cause this state. And if we also add the fact that not having food in the stomach facilitates a faster absorption of alcohol, the body collapses. And you cannot counteract such dehydration. Alcohol overdose can cause cirrhosis and death.
In addition, malnutrition and the consequent anemia are usually two of its clearest symptoms. Low levels of vitamins and minerals that cause a cascade of reactions in the body: hair loss, amenorrhea, muscle weakness, difficulty falling asleep, concentration …
More consumption, greater tolerance
The difficulty in quitting any addiction lies in the growing need to consume more and more of that substance, to achieve the same effect. This phenomenon is what is known as tolerance. Let’s take an example: the first day with two glasses of alcohol we managed to feel a pleasant sensation. The third, we need three. At two weeks we drink five. And so on, progressively until the quantities required are colossal.
This phenomenon also occurs in alcohorexia. Thus, each time they adopt this addictive behavior, they require a greater intake of alcoholic beverages to achieve inhibit their appetite in the same way. It is the whiting that bites its tail.
Population at risk
Today, there is an increase in alcohol consumption among young people and adolescents. On many occasions, they skip meals because they know they are going to consume alcohol during the night. In addition, among these groups, especially women tend to be more concerned about their physical appearance at this age. Although the men who are also insecure about their identity and body scheme are not negligible.
Therefore, particularly during these ages, parents must be alert to possible indicators of this type of risk behavior. Preventive education and raising awareness through dialogue about the problems caused by depriving them of food as well as alcohol abuse is essential. And more at those ages when they are in full growth and psychological development.
Treatment of alcohorexia
Alcohorexia is a type of eating disorder not yet considered in the main psychological diagnostic manuals. However, their treatment must be equally comprehensive. On the one hand, a clinical and toxicological control must be carried out with blood tests that allow knowing the baseline status and evolution of the patient. And, on the other hand, psychological therapy and nutritional counseling seem necessary. And not only for the subject who suffers from this disorder, but for his closest environment.
