Eating disorders in women with psychoactive substance abuse or dependence

Abstract

Substance abuse or dependence has been frequently reported among women with bulimia nervosa and to a lesser extent among women with anorexia nervosa, resulting in a number of researchers exploring the possibility that bulimia nervosa is one expression of genetic predisposition towards addictive behaviour or substance abuse/dependence. Far less research has addressed the type and extent of eating disordered behaviour in women with substance abuse or dependence. This study was designed to help redress this imbalance and provide data on the rate and nature of eating disordered behaviour experienced by women with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence. Fifteen women meeting substance abuse/dependence criteria were assessed for substance use and eating disordered behaviour via a structured clinical interview, and a variety of personality variables were measured using self-report instruments including the Temperament and Character Inventory, The Eating Disorders lnventory-2, and The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire. These findings were then compared with those for fifteen women with bulimia nervosa. Overall, high rates of eating disordered behaviour were found in the substance abuse/dependence group, lending support to the view that eating disorders and substance abuse/dependence are both expressions of the same predisposition to addictive behaviours. Evidence was also found for the role of personality variables in the expression of this predisposition, as well as suggestion of a possible cyclical nature to the co-occurrence of both disorders.

Methodological weaknesses were discussed, along with suggestions for future research.