What Is Drunkorexia? What Is the Danger Behind It?
![Reframe App Logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60d10433104bca13abce2c13/6524611f0bc6ca7db5aea21b_logo.webp)
Alcohol and eating often go hand-in-hand. Some of our most beloved gatherings with friends and loved ones center around food, and alcohol is well-associated with social settings. But as dieters know, alcohol is high in calories. For many people, drinking alcohol while trying to lose weight is a losing battle for many reasons. Those unwilling to cut back or stop drinking can start making unhealthy choices to balance their food intake with alcohol consumption, leading to some potentially scary health problems. Let’s dive into “drunkorexia” and talk about some of the ways it can manifest.
Drunkorexia isn't a medical diagnosis; instead, it’s a colloquial term that describes a range of behaviors associated with eating disorders and alcohol misuse. The -orexia medical term comes from the Greek word orexis, which means “appetite.” Anorexia nervosa is a well-known eating disorder that involves severe restriction of food intake. It is associated with a range of health problems, such as heart disease, brittle bones, liver disease, kidney disease, and more. Combining anorexia with drinking gives us drunk-orexia. It typically involves patterns of restrictive food intake with a special “calorie account” carved out for alcohol. The reasons behind this behavior can be complex, intertwining with issues of body image, control, and addiction.
Eating disorders and alcoholism are both frequently portrayed as behaviors of control. Of course, that’s not the whole picture. These are complex behaviors, and their origin is different for every individual.
There are multiple reasons why some individuals choose to drink alcohol without eating. These can range from a desire to avoid weight gain to an attempt to feel the effects of alcohol more quickly or intensely. For some, it's a financial issue — prioritizing buying alcohol over food.
Whatever the origin of drunkorexia is, it’s a serious and dangerous behavior. Anorexia and alcohol are dangerous enough on their own, but when mixed together they can have dire health consequences.
The human body relies on a balanced intake of nutrients for all its functions, and alcohol is a poor substitute. Electrolytes are essential nutrients for proper heart and brain function. Alcohol is known to deplete electrolytes, which is part of why we experience hangovers.
Not all calories are created equal, and the calories in alcohol are completely devoid of nutrition — there’s a reason that booze isn’t on the food pyramid. When the body doesn't receive adequate nutrition, the effects of alcohol are amplified, and essential systems are deprived of the resources they need to function properly. This can lead to both short-term impairments and long-term health consequences.
Drunkorexia affects nearly every bodily system. Alcohol misuse alone can cause metabolic disturbances, heart problems, liver damage. I can also worsen anxiety and depression, and interact with medications. Anorexia causes many of the same issues. In fact, the hunger caused by anorexia can impair judgment and lead to poor choices regarding alcohol consumption. Drunkorexia fuels itself, making it a difficult behavior pattern to escape.
When anorexia and alcoholism are left unchecked, the body becomes increasingly damaged. It’s important to recognize drunkorexia and work to break the cycle so the body can start to heal.
Recognizing drunkorexia can be challenging, as it often occurs in private or is hidden by social drinking behaviors. Some signs include noticeable weight loss, comments about saving calories for drinking, or frequently skipping meals to consume alcohol instead. Stomach and digestion issues are common, and some people may use them as an excuse for why they don’t eat proper meals. Women are more likely to experience drunkorexia, but it can happen to anyone at any age. Those experiencing drunkorexia may also binge eat while drinking, or engage in bulimic behaviors such as purging after making poor food decisions while intoxicated.
Though drunkorexia is not widely recognized in a clinical setting, its impact on health can be profound. There are many resources to help overcome drunkorexia or help loved ones begin healing. With support, awareness, and mindfulness, we can find safer, healthier ways to cope with challenges and foster a healthier relationship with food and alcohol.
1. What is drunkorexia?
While it manifests itself differently in each individual, the basic principle of drunkorexia is severe restriction of food intake in favor of alcohol consumption.
2. What are the dangers of drunkorexia?
Drunkorexia can cause damage to just about every part of the body: the heart, stomach, brain, gut, kidneys, liver, and metabolism. It also interferes with mental health and medications.
3. Are eating disorders associated with alcoholism?
Yes. Alcohol intake can lead to poor food choices and trap us in a cycle of binging and restricting food. It also exacerbates feelings of anxiety associated with food intake due to its high calorie content.
4. What are the signs of drunkorexia?
Skipping meals, tracking calories in alcohol, losing weight despite heavy alcohol intake, and making frequent comments about body image and food intake suggest this condition.
5. Are there resources to help overcome drunkorexia?
It’s important to seek proper medical help to treat anorexia, including nutritional coaching and mental health counseling. Reframe offers personalized coaching that can help you overcome alcohol misuse and start to build a healthier relationship with what you put in your body. It’s also important to cultivate a supportive environment and seek help from loved ones.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being.