Alcohol or Drug Abuse

Anorexia can occasionally result in long-term usage of alcohol, certain drugs, and diet pills. Alcohol can be used to control hunger and manage stress and anxiety. About 18 times as many people who engage in binge eating and purging abuse alcohol and drugs than those who follow a restrictive diet. Some people who overuse alcohol may also drastically cut back on their food intake to make up for the calories they lost while drinking.

In the restrictive kind, it's typical to abuse additional drugs, such as amphetamines, caffeine, or ephedrine, which can suppress hunger, speed up metabolism, and encourage quick weight loss. Rapid weight loss and food restriction can alter the brain in ways that can boost a person's craving for drugs. Malnutrition and other health issues can result from long-term drug misuse and reduced food consumption.