Why Trust Recovery Guide Drunkorexia is a condition cropping up mostly on college campuses across the nation. This condition is so-named because it involves both avoiding eating all day and drinking all night.
Those struggling with drunkorexia may have first had either an eating disorder or an alcohol use disorder before developing the condition.
Individuals with anorexia nervosa may be preoccupied with their weight and self-image and may avoid eating to keep weight off, especially if they plan to drink.
Those with an alcohol use disorder may struggle to stop drinking, drink heavily all at once, or may not eat in an attempt to feel the effects of alcohol faster.
Whichever disorder comes first, before long, a person engaging in these behaviors may be prone to developing drunkorexia. Unfortunately, this condition can lead to damaging health effects without proper care.
Who Is Affected By Drunkorexia?
Drunkorexia largely affects three groups:
- college students, ages 18 to 23
- females
- those with pre-existing eating disorders or substance use disorder issues
However, anyone who wishes to drink heavily, avoid eating to become drunk faster, and keep weight off while maintaining this lifestyle could develop this condition.
People without anorexia who want to restrict their eating so they can drink more later may also have drunkorexia.
This condition may have existed for decades, but formal research on this specific combination of disordered eating and alcohol use only began around 2010 and has grown substantially since.
Prevalence estimates vary widely across studies, with research suggesting that anywhere from 14 to 60 percent of college students engage in drunkorexic behaviors. According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, approximately 60 percent of college students surveyed reported engaging in drunkorexia in the past year.
Research has historically shown higher rates among women, driven largely by weight control motivations. However, more recent studies suggest men are increasingly engaged in drunkorexic behaviors as body image concerns among young men have grown, particularly in the age of social media.
Long-Term Risks Of Drunkorexia
Drinking in lieu of eating may carry several health risks, both immediately and long-term. Drinking on an empty stomach affects the body differently, causing different reactions than those that occur for a person who drinks after eating.
If a person repeatedly drinks heavily on an empty stomach, the consequences can increase.
Long-term risks of drunkorexia may include:
- physical injury, faulty decisions, or changed behavior: the more often a person drinks, the more they are at risk of engaging in risky behavior, making bad sexual decisions, and having poor judgment
- nutrient deficiencies: the body needs more nutrients than usual to metabolize alcohol. Starving the body of nutrients before drinking results in a deficit that can be harmful in the long run
- hindering fitness progress: many college students engage in drunkorexia behavior while also trying to get fit. But alcohol interferes with functions that help the body repair and build muscle, meaning heavy drinking actually impedes workout progress
- forming unhealthy eating habits: while drunkorexia is often an attempt to keep weight off while also drinking, drinking alcohol limits decision-making and lowers inhibition. This may encourage unhealthy eating habits, such as binge eating
- sleep troubles: drinking alcohol often and heavily can interfere with sleep patterns
- contribute to cancer: heavy drinking over many years is linked to several types of cancer
- addiction and dependence: the more a person drinks, the more at-risk they become for developing a disorder which can affect them long-term, such as addiction (mental reliance) or dependence (physical reliance)
Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment Today
The most effective drug rehab programs will also treat the psychological issues that contribute to such behavior. This can include any underlying causes that contribute to an eating disorder, such as negative self-image or confidence issues, and any trauma that may have been a factor.
Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.