Is "Drunkorexia" a Thing? Taking A Closer Look

There is a high co-occurrence of eating disorders with a substance use disorder. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (2023) the numbers could be as high as 50% of individuals with eating disorders use alcohol or illicit drugs. That is five times higher than the general population. Up to 35% of those with an alcohol or other drug dependency have also had an eating disorder at some point; a rate 11 times greater than the general population. Opiate use disorder and eating disorders are the number one and number two mental health disorders leading to death. 

This workshop will focus in on treatment in the outpatient setting for these co-occurring disorders. The presenter will discuss ways to assess for these disorders and offer information about some of the challenges faced in providing care for this population. The presenter will also offer a case study to examine and discuss how to develop a case conceptualization and treatment plan. We will also discuss effective interventions for working with eating disorders and co-occurring SUD.

Objectives

• Assess clients for co-occurring substance use disorder and eating disorder diagnoses.
• Develop a case conceptualization and treatment plan for a client presenting with both substance use disorders and eating disorders.
• Identify and utilize at least 5 interventions targeted at eating disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders.

About Shelley Smith

Shelley Smith is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug – Mental Health Counselor (LADC/MH) and is

under supervision to become a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. After graduating from the

University of Central Oklahoma with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Substance Abuse

Studies, she worked in a community clinic for patients seeking treatment for opiate addiction. She currently provides care to a variety of clients through her private practice in Oklahoma City and has been doing so for the past eight years. Shelley’s primary focus in private practice is  the treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders. 

Shelley is a former board member for the Oklahoma Eating Disorder Association, is a member of the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association, and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She is co-founder of a peer consultation group formed in Oklahoma City to support and grow professionals in the area who are either currently treating or interested in working with eating disorders. Shelley integrates various approaches and modalities in treatment including Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Internal Family Systems Therapy.