DRUG ABUSE A CONCERN AMONG ANOREXIC WOMEN

Women who have eating disorders often abuse amphetamines, cocaine and
other illicit drugs, new research indicates.

"Drug abuse in women with eating disorders is an area of clinical
concern and should be monitored routinely throughout the treatment
process," advise clinicians who report their findings in the
International Journal of Eating Disorders.

They interviewed 136 women with anorexia nervosa and 110 with bulimia
nervosa who were assessed for a drug use disorder every 6 to 12
months for about 9 years.

A total of 42 (17 per cent) patients had a history of illicit drug
use, Dr David B. Herzog of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston
and colleagues report.

It is "of interest," they say, that 19 of these women started abusing
illicit drugs for the first time during the study period.

"Although the absolute numbers are small, these data suggest that the
risk for drug use disorder in women with eating disorders continues over time."

It's also noteworthy, they say, that of the 19 women whose drug use
disorder began during the study, 12 (63.2 per cent) had an episode of
major depression and 6 (31.6 per cent) had a diagnosis of hypomania.

Mood disorders were more likely to occur in participants with
anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa who also had a drug disorder
onset, which confirms earlier studies linking mood disorders, eating
disorders and substance abuse, the group reports.

Cocaine, amphetamines, and marijuana were the most commonly abused drugs.

"These data indicate that clinicians should take a careful history of
drug use when assessing substance use in patients with anorexia
nervosa and bulimia nervosa," the authors conclude.

- - REUTERS