Related Experiment Videos
Bulimia nervosa: occurrence with psychoactive substance use disorders
1North Dakota State Hospital, Jamestown.
Addictive Behaviors
|November 1, 1992
Summary
This study found that 12% of women in a substance use disorder treatment program had bulimia nervosa. Combined with anorexia, 17% of these women had diagnosable eating disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Psychoactive substance use disorder is prevalent in treatment settings.
- Eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa, can co-occur with substance use disorders.
- Understanding comorbidity is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of bulimic symptomatology in women undergoing chemical dependency treatment.
- To identify the rate of diagnosable eating disorders within this population.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 60 women diagnosed with psychoactive substance use disorder.
- Utilized the Bulimia Test-Revised (Bulit-R) and DSM-III-R diagnostic interviews.
- Assessed both bulimia nervosa and anorexia.
Main Results:
- Bulimia nervosa prevalence was 12% in the total group.
- Anorexia was identified in 3 subjects, leading to a 17% overall rate of eating disorders.
- Among Caucasian women, bulimia prevalence was 15% and combined eating disorders were 23%.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of women in chemical dependency treatment units exhibit eating disorders.
- Co-occurring eating disorders require attention in substance use disorder treatment protocols.
- Further research into the specific needs of this comorbid population is warranted.