Eating Disorders, Addictions and Substance Use Disorders

Eating disorders, addictions, and substance use disorders are each challenging in their own right, but they also commonly co-occur, causing major challenges for clinicians. Emerging research suggests that there are common substrates at the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and psychological levels. While randomized controlled trials have revealed a number of effective psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic treatments for the individual conditions, little is known about integrative interventions for these comorbidities. This book presents cutting-edge research on the overlap of these complex disorders and reviews integrative assessment strategies and treatment approaches, including enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, abstinence approaches, motivational enhancement, mindfulness meditation, and pharmacotherapy. The issue of whether eating-disordered behaviors such as dieting, binge eating, and excessive exercise are merely other forms of addictive behavior is examined. The authors argue both for and against the concept of food addiction in research, clinical treatment, and public policy.