Anorexia nervosa is the deadliest of all the eating disorders that plagues our society today. It causes those who suffer from it to obsess about their weight and the amount of food they eat to no end. People with anorexia typically weigh far less than the recommended weight for someone of their age and height, and they’ll achieve this through starvation, excessive exercise and, oftentimes, substance abuse. Anorexia typically plagues females as 85 to 95 percent of those diagnosed are women, and it’s classified as a mental health disorder that does not discriminate based on wealth or education. Just ask Christina Ricci.
Christina Ricci recently opened up to the entertainment television show The Talk and discussed her personal battle with the eating disorder and how she credits the anorexia treatment she received with helping her to recover from it. She mentioned how fortunate she was that she was able to receive treatment very early on and what an impact it had. “Well, I was lucky. I only really suffered from it for about a year and a half. I was put into therapy very quickly, so I was able to overcome it,” Ricci said.
Why Do Individuals Develop Anorexia?
People often make the mistake of thinking that anorexia is centered around food. Anorexia is in fact an extremely dangerous and unhealthy way a portion of the population attempts to cope with emotional problems. Many sufferers will starve themselves in an effort to exert some control in their life or to relieve certain tensions or anger. But the end result is always the same. People with anorexia equate thinness with feelings of self-worth. If they’re not thin, then they’re worthless, so they’ll resort to extreme measures to try and become thin.
Christina Ricci’s Struggle
As a former anorexia sufferer, Christina Ricci was asked what advice she’d give to young girls currently battling the disorder. Her reply signifies how important a role anorexia treatment played in her ability to move past the illness. “I would say that if you feel like you are starting to obsess too much about the way you look, then definitely get some kind of therapy or help very quickly. Because that can just grow into an obsession that you can’t control,” she said. An obsession that often leads anorexics down the path of substance abuse.
Drug abuse especially is quite common among individuals with anorexia, sometimes being the catalyst for the eating disorder, but more often coming as a result. Cocaine, speed and methamphetamine are often abused by people with anorexia looking to suppress their appetite and speed up their metabolism. Addiction is just a natural progression.
Destination Hope is the premier drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility for substance abuse issues in South Florida. If there’s a person in your life who is abusing drugs and alcohol as a result of co-occurring anorexia, it is imperative you put her in contact with the counselors at Destination Hope today. Their highly specialized dual diagnosis substance abuse and anorexia treatment can put you back in the driver’s seat of your life. Don’t be a prisoner of substance abuse and eating disorders any longer. Call us today so we can help.
