![Eating disorders and substance use: avoiding the whack-a-mole game in treatment [Podcast]](https://tabithafarrar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wiss-podcast.jpg)
In this podcast Tabitha Farrar talks to David Wiss about eating disorders co-occurring with substance abuse.
David Wiss, MS, RDN is the founder of Nutrition in Recovery, which specializes in: Addictions, Eating Disorders, Mental Health, Gut Health, Body Image, and General Wellness. Mr. Wiss works closely with individuals to help them revolutionize their relationship with food and has shared his expertise with numerous eating disorder and addiction facilities throughout the greater Los Angeles area. David is a published author and a nationally recognized expert in nutrition for addiction, currently working on his PhD in Public Health from UCLA. View some of his work at www.nutritioninrecovery.com
Holy shit. I have always used the “whack-a-mole” analogy to describe my anorexia and substance addictions. I had a recent “relapse” of my anorexia when I stopped taking the narcotic painkillers I had been taking for over 10 years for chronic back pain, and went on suboxone and also stopped drinking alcohol. My brain said hmmm what else can we do that makes us feel safe and in control? I know! Let’s restrict our eating! Within a month or so I was down to around a BMI of 13. I know I have a genetic predisposition for anorexia, have 2 family members with disordered eating and have been restricting my eating and over exercising for YEARS. Anyway I’m currently in treatment at a facility that treats mental health and addiction and sort of treats EDs but the staff needs much more training in EDs. I shared this podcast w our clinical director, and my individual therapist, and I hope they will give it a listen. Thank you SO MUCH for this critical work!