Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are fairly common in chemically dependent people and following substance abuse treatment, sometimes people in recovery have found that they stop one addiction only to start another. We believe therefore that it is important to educate and provide cross-addiction support while people are in treatment.

While Caron Texas does not primarily treat eating disorders or food addiction, clinical staff is able to provide assessments, support through cross addiction groups, and an appropriate referral for these powerful addictions. We understand that the addictive aspect of eating disorders is largely misunderstood. Commonly treated eating disorders include

• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• Purging
• Compulsive eating
• Binge eating or
• Other food-related problems

With eating disorders, the same reward/punishment issues and triggers are present as with any addiction or substance abuse. Whether chemically induced in the body and brain, or emotionally perceived, these triggers can be internal or external. Accordingly, eating disorders and food-related addictions are no less difficult to deal with than if the source were drugs or alcohol.

An accurate assessment, education about the problem or diagnosis, as well as nutritional consults, dietary support, mental health follow-up, coping skills groups and cross-addiction groups are all ways that Caron Texas can assist patients who are recovering from an eating disorder. In the case where an eating disorder is a co-occurring condition, depending on a patient’s individual circumstances, Caron Texas staff may encourage the patient to follow up with eating disorder support following their primary addiction treatment.