Multiple studies have demonstrated that many people who struggle with eating disorders have also struggled with substance abuse, with a particularly significant crossover for those struggling with bulimia or binge eating disorder. Those struggling with both substance abuse and an eating disorder should receive comprehensive treatment from specialists with expertise in both issues.
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References
1 The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. Food for Thought: Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) Columbia University; New York: 2003.2 Burke S. C., Cremeens, J., Vail-Smith, K., & Woolsey, C. L. (2010). Drunkorexia: Calorie restriction prior to alcohol consumption among college freshman. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 54(2), 17-35.
3 Grilo CM, Sinha R., O'Malley SS. Eating disorders and alcohol use disorders. Alc Res Health. 2002;26:151-160.
4 Schreiber, L. R., Odlaug, B. L., & Grant, J. E. (2013). The overlap between binge eating disorder and substance use disorders: Diagnosis and neurobiology. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2(4), 191-198. doi:10.1556/jba.2.2013.015.
5 Gregorowski, C., Seedat, S., & Jordaan, G. P. (2013). A clinical approach to the assessment and management of management of co-morbid eating disorders and substance use disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 13(1). doi:10.1186/1471-244x-13-289