While most of us overeat at one time or another, there is a difference between having two extra helpings on Thanksgiving and what professionals refer to as binge disordered eating or BED. This is a severe condition that can have damaging effects on a person’s mental and physical well-being. Often underdiagnosed, many individuals struggle with both chemical dependency and co-occurring disordred eating. Due to comorbidity with substance use disorders and critical medical complications, Santé addresses these disorders simultaneously with clients. 

Therefore, substance abuse and binge disordered eating treatment is often the only solution to help sufferers overcome these complicated and debilitating diseases.

Symptoms of Binge Disordered Eating

A man sits on a staircase thinking about his need for binge eating disorder treatment

Often underdiagnosed, many individuals struggle with both chemical dependency and disordered eating like BED. 

One myth surrounding this disease is that those who have it are always severely overweight. In reality, people with BED might or might not be obese. More common symptoms of the condition include the following:

  • Eating large amounts of food within a short period
  • Feeling that eating behaviors are out of control
  • Inability to stop overeating in spite of a desire to do so or when you are not hungry
  • Eating very quickly and until you are uncomfortable
  • Often eating in secret or lying about the amount you eat
  • Experiencing negative feelings of disgust, guilt, shame, and depression about your eating
  • Frequent yo-yo dieting

Exactly how severe your BED is will depend on how many episodes you have in any given week. If you suspect that you or someone you love has a BED problem, you should seek binge disordered eating treatment.

The Consequences of BED

The rapid intake of food and frequent dieting that many people with BED display can have adverse effects on many aspects of their lives. These include difficulties at work or in social situations, isolation, poor quality of life, low self-esteem, and a variety of medical conditions including obesity, breathing problems, sleep disorders, joint pain, type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal issues. Feelings of guilt and self-hatred can lead to psychological distress and even suicidal ideation. Given the seriousness of BED, it is essential to get binge disordered eating treatment from a binge disordered eating treatment program as soon as possible.

The emotional and mental health issues that someone with BED often experiences can also lead to other disturbing behaviors: addiction to alcohol and other drugs, problematic sexual behavior, self-harm, and more. BED sufferers tend to numb the pain they are feeling with these substances and behaviors, which further complicates their mental and physical situations and underscores the need for substance abuse and binge disordered eating treatment as soon as possible.

Binge Disordered Eating Treatment at the Santé Center for Healing

BED has many of the hallmarks of other addictive behaviors. This includes the inability to stop the self-destructive behaviors even though they are ruining your life. At Santé Center for Healing, we understand that disordered eating often at the core of other substance use issues you might be having. As a client at Santé, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation that will consider your entire history, including issues with eating, alcohol, and other drugs. We will then develop a full or modified substance abuse and binge disordered eating treatment program customized to meet your unique needs and requirements. Treatment includes the following components as needed:

  • Dietitian
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Experiential Therapy
  • Process Groups
  • Educational Groups
  • Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, and Family Therapy
  • Personalized meal plans
  • Supervised trips to restaurants to help you learn coping skills around food with the support of those who understand
  • Grocery shopping to identify and address triggers to overeating
  • Eating Disorders Anonymous 
  • Classes on cooking and nutrition
  • Work on body image

At the Santé Center for Healing, our co-occurring disordered eating treatment is designed to help you address all of the issues that intertwine to cause and complicated unhealthy behaviors. At Santé Center for Healing, we will show you how to have a healthy relationship with food as you simultaneously address any other co-occurring addictions. Let us help you start your journey toward recovery, health, and happiness. Call us today at 866.238.3154. You’ll be glad you did.