How to Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder

The iconic author and spiritual leader Ram Dass famously said, “Your problem is you’re… too busy holding onto your unworthiness.” This is symbolic of what many people who struggle with comorbidities of eating disorders (ED) and substance use disorder (SUD) feel. The good news is they don’t have to feel like that anymore. There is a solution to heal from comorbidities of ED and SUD; the key is to reach out and ask for help.

Better Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are still often misunderstood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “There is a commonly held misconception that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are actually serious and often fatal illnesses that are associated with severe disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. Preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape may also signal an eating disorder. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.”

Eating disorders and disordered eating affect millions of people every year. Various types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Also, many people don’t get the help they need for their eating disorders because they don’t know what signs and symptoms to look out for.

The Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Because eating disorders distinctly vary by type, the signs and symptoms can be very different. However, there are many universal signs and symptoms that may help in determining if there is a problem. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

• Avoiding meals or requesting to eat in isolation
• Creating ritualistic eating habits (such as having to chew food a certain number of times)
• Exhibiting extreme weight gain or extreme weight loss 
• Experiencing issues with sleep such as insomnia or hypersomnia
• Feeling anxious and depressed
• Using substances as a means of coping with issues surrounding eating
• Having a poor self-image
• Committing self-harm
• Having suicidal ideations

Now, as one can see, these are not insignificant symptoms. They can be deadly. This is why getting help as soon as possible is critical if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present. Recognizing these signs earlier than later can also help one avoid acquiring a co-occurring substance use disorder.

Better Understanding Substance Use Disorder

SUD is still highly prevalent in the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In 2022, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older (or 17.3%) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 8.0 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD.”

Also, just like individuals struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, people with SUD often don’t get the help they need. This is why being vigilant regarding the signs and symptoms of SUD can be so critical.

The Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder

There are many universal signs and symptoms of SUD (which includes people who struggle with both alcohol and/or substances). Of course, the signs are going to vary based on the individual, but the following are some of the more common signs and symptoms:

• Isolating away from family and friends
• Exhibiting excessive mood swings
• Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed 
• Not being able to stop drinking or using once started
• Struggling with sleep, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough
• Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly worried
• Having feelings of worthlessness, uselessness, and hopelessness 
• Experiencing trouble at work
• Having otherwise unexplained physical ailments such as gastrointestinal problems and excessive headaches

How to Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder at the Cellular Level

It’s also true that comorbidities of addiction and mental health are highly prevalent in the U.S. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders… Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses. Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.”

Many of these comorbidities involve eating disorders and SUD. According to the Journal of Eating Disorders, “Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with a series of comorbidities, including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and substance use disorders (SUDs). A recently published meta-analysis on the prevalence rates examining the comorbidity of SUDs in EDs found that the pooled prevalence of SUDs in EDs was 22%, with the prevalence of EDs among individuals seeking treatment for SUDs being 35%. Thus, the prevalence of EDs in individuals with SUDs appears to be ten times higher than the prevalence of EDs in the general population, with the prevalence of SUDs among individuals with EDs in treatment between 25 and 50%.”

To truly heal from comorbidities of eating disorders and SUD, one must do so at the cellular level. This means not only healing the disorders, but healing the individual physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It must be a holistic (meaning “whole”) process. The best way to ensure this happens is with the multi-angled approach to recovery.

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With the Multi-Angled Approach

The multi-angled approach to recovery is all about utilizing means, methods, and modalities from all areas of the recovery realm. Many recovery centers solely focus on one type of modality and, unfortunately, that will only work with a certain percentage of individuals.

A multi-angled approach to recovery ensures that there is a wide array of options to not only ensure that a recovery plan is effective, but that it offers a balanced recovery (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) as well. These effective recovery plans utilize many modalities, including nutritional therapy, nature immersion therapy, surf therapy, horticulture therapy, and yoga and meditation. It also draws on evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With CBT

CBT can be particularly helpful for issues of eating disorders and substance use disorder because it gets to the underlying issues that often cause the disorder and/or addiction. This type of psychotherapy can also be particularly beneficial because it helps individuals address the negative way that they often view themself and the world around them. Ultimately, this is what leads to positive behavioral changes.

CBT is also effective because it helps to make an individual an “active participant” in the process. This gives them the essential autonomy that one often needs to experience recovery at the cellular level. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. In order to achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns.”

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With DBT

DBT has also been shown to be particularly helpful for people struggling with comorbidities of eating disorders and addiction. This is because it takes a direct focus, not just on addiction, but on issues of mental health as well.

According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychiatry (Edgmont), “Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The patient populations for which DBT has the most empirical support include parasuicidal women with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but there have been promising findings for patients with BPD and substance use disorders (SUDs), persons who meet criteria for binge-eating disorder, and depressed elderly patients. Although DBT has many similarities with other cognitive-behavioral approaches, several critical and unique elements must be in place for the treatment to constitute DBT.” These “elements” can also be addressed via other types of therapy.

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With Nature Immersion Therapy

Nature has long been shown to be highly effective at helping people’s moods. In fact, according to the U.S. National Park Service, “5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation. Frequent exposure to nature reduces anxiety and depression while promoting a sense of wellbeing and fulfillment.” Also, “Physical activity in a green space can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels by 15%.” The fact of the matter is that Hawaii’s Big Island offers some of the best natural landscapes in the world.

Nature immersion therapy offers a myriad of benefits for healing comorbidities. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Besides improvements to physical and psychological well-being, exposure to natural environments has been shown to bring about positive impacts on cognitive functioning… While cognitive restoration and physiological well-being are the prominent and renowned benefits of nature exposure, there is one important construct that is often overlooked in environmental psychology research studies – that is, the human-nature relationship; also known as connectedness to nature (CN).”

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With Surf Therapy

Just as Hawaii’s Big Island has some of the most amazing landscapes, it also has some of the most amazing seascapes – most notably, the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This is where some of the best surfing (and thus, surf therapy) takes place.

More and more benefits of surf therapy are being discovered every day. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Carefully planned water activities tailored to the needs of the individual can contribute to correct psychosocial and cognitive development. The International Surf Therapy Organization summarizes the benefits of adequately indicated surf therapy as follows: improved physical health and mobility; improved mental health, including reduction of specific symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress and depression; improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, encouragement of independence, resilience and protective coping strategies) and improved social skills.”

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With Horticulture Therapy

Another unique therapy that we offer here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab is horticulture therapy. Our luxury 30-acre property is bursting with some of the most amazing fruits and vegetables that Hawaii’s Big Island has to offer. This is the type of environment where our clients get their hands dirty and reconnect with the earth and in turn, reconnect with themselves.

There are many essential benefits offered via horticulture therapy. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “People’s interactions with plants, through goal-orientated horticultural activities in the form of active gardening, as well as the passive appreciation of nature, could be therapeutic to people with mental disorders in many ways. First, horticulture could have emotional benefits, such as reducing stress, reducing psychiatric symptoms, stabilizing mood, and increasing the sense of tranquility, spirituality, and enjoyment. Second, it could help people to reduce fatigue and restore attention and cognitive ability.”

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With Nutritional Therapy

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in the maxim, “Food is medicine.” That is why we focus on nutrition therapy. We also have some of the best nutritionists and licensed dieticians on staff and are always available on the property.

It is important to note that we don’t just focus on the nutrition side of things either. We also have all of our meals prepared by world-class chefs to ensure that our food is not only nutritious but that it is delicious as well. This includes focusing on organic ingredients and tailoring the meals to each client’s needs and preferences.

Heal From Comorbidities of Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder With Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation have been practiced for thousands of years. These practices have helped countless individuals bring balance and tranquility into their lives. Now they are doing the same for people in recovery.

It is hard to devalue the benefits of yoga. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent reduce or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional, and spiritual pain, suffering, or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”

Meditation also offers its own unique set of benefits. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency. Physiological benefits include reduced blood pressure, heart rate, lactate, cortisol, and epinephrine; decreased metabolism, breathing pattern, oxygen utilization, and carbon dioxide elimination; and increased melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), skin resistance, and relative blood flow to the brain.”

Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we only believe in healing at the cellular level. This is why we only offer individualized, multi-angled recovery plans with a focus on the future.

Ram Dass also famously said, “Each of us finds his unique vehicle for sharing with others his bit of wisdom.” Yes, we are here to offer our unique wisdom of recovery. We are here to help you attain that recovery which has always been just out of reach. Recovery is possible. We can help.

The intersection of eating disorders (EDs) and substance use disorder (SUD) is more common than many people may think. The good news is that therapies like CBT and DBT at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab address both issues simultaneously. The key is to take a comprehensive, holistic approach to healing these complex comorbidities at the root/core level. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental health, addiction, or comorbidities, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about healing from co-occurring eating and substance use disorders, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.