What Is Drunkorexia? What Is the Danger Behind It?

Alcohol and eating often go hand-in-hand. Some of our most beloved gatherings with friends and loved ones center around food, and alcohol is well-associated with social settings. But as dieters know, alcohol is high in calories. For many people, drinking alcohol while trying to lose weight is a losing battle for many reasons. Those unwilling to cut back or stop drinking can start making unhealthy choices to balance their food intake with alcohol consumption, leading to some potentially scary health problems. Let’s dive into “drunkorexia” and talk about some of the ways it can manifest.


What Is Drunkorexia?

Drunkorexia isn't a medical diagnosis; instead, it’s a colloquial term that describes a range of behaviors associated with eating disorders and alcohol misuse. The -orexia medical term comes from the Greek word orexis, which means “appetite.” Anorexia nervosa is a well-known eating disorder that involves severe restriction of food intake. It is associated with a range of health problems, such as heart disease, brittle bones, liver disease, kidney disease, and more. Combining anorexia with drinking gives us drunk-orexia. It typically involves patterns of restrictive food intake with a special “calorie account” carved out for alcohol. The reasons behind this behavior can be complex, intertwining with issues of body image, control, and addiction.

Why Do Some Drinkers Not Eat?

Eating disorders and alcoholism are both frequently portrayed as behaviors of control. Of course, that’s not the whole picture. These are complex behaviors, and their origin is different for every individual.

There are multiple reasons why some individuals choose to drink alcohol without eating. These can range from a desire to avoid weight gain to an attempt to feel the effects of alcohol more quickly or intensely. For some, it's a financial issue — prioritizing buying alcohol over food.

Whatever the origin of drunkorexia is, it’s a serious and dangerous behavior. Anorexia and alcohol are dangerous enough on their own, but when mixed together they can have dire health consequences.

What Happens If You Only Drink and Don’t Eat?

The human body relies on a balanced intake of nutrients for all its functions, and alcohol is a poor substitute. Electrolytes are essential nutrients for proper heart and brain function. Alcohol is known to deplete electrolytes, which is part of why we experience hangovers.

Not all calories are created equal, and the calories in alcohol are completely devoid of nutrition — there’s a reason that booze isn’t on the food pyramid. When the body doesn't receive adequate nutrition, the effects of alcohol are amplified, and essential systems are deprived of the resources they need to function properly. This can lead to both short-term impairments and long-term health consequences.

Dangers of Drinking Alcohol and Not Eating

Drunkorexia affects nearly every bodily system. Alcohol misuse alone can cause metabolic disturbances, heart problems, liver damage. I can also worsen anxiety and depression, and interact with medications. Anorexia causes many of the same issues. In fact, the hunger caused by anorexia can impair judgment and lead to poor choices regarding alcohol consumption. Drunkorexia fuels itself, making it a difficult behavior pattern to escape.

When anorexia and alcoholism are left unchecked, the body becomes increasingly damaged. It’s important to recognize drunkorexia and work to break the cycle so the body can start to heal.

Signs of Drunkorexia

Recognizing drunkorexia can be challenging, as it often occurs in private or is hidden by social drinking behaviors. Some signs include noticeable weight loss, comments about saving calories for drinking, or frequently skipping meals to consume alcohol instead. Stomach and digestion issues are common, and some people may use them as an excuse for why they don’t eat proper meals. Women are more likely to experience drunkorexia, but it can happen to anyone at any age. Those experiencing drunkorexia may also binge eat while drinking, or engage in bulimic behaviors such as purging after making poor food decisions while intoxicated.  

Tips for Staying Safe

• Seek professional help. If you're struggling with balancing eating and drinking, consider reaching out to a dietitian or therapist who specializes in eating disorders. There are healthy ways to manage weight without putting yourself in jeopardy.

• Prioritize balanced meals. Eat regular, balanced meals throughout the day, especially if you plan to consume alcohol. Drinking on an empty stomach magnifies many of the most dangerous consequences of alcohol consumption. 

• Understand portion control. Learn the appropriate serving sizes for different types of alcohol to help manage your intake. A standard serving of regular beer is about 12 ounces, a serving of wine is 5 ounces, and liquor comes in at around 1.5 ounces.

• Educate yourself and others. Awareness is crucial. Educate yourself about the signs of drunkorexia and share this knowledge within your social circles.

• Support recovery and well-being. If someone you know shows signs of drunkorexia, encourage them to seek help and support them along their recovery journey. If you yourself are working to overcome drunkorexia, request encouragement from friends and family and cultivate supportive environments.

• Monitor your habits. Keep a diary of your eating and drinking habits to identify patterns that may indicate drunkorexia. (Tracking foods obsessively is associated with disordered eating, so be honest with yourself about your intentions.)

• Find alternative coping strategies. Develop healthier coping mechanisms for stress and social pressures that don't involve alcohol or food restriction.


The Bottom Line


Though drunkorexia is not widely recognized in a clinical setting, its impact on health can be profound. There are many resources to help overcome drunkorexia or help loved ones begin healing. With support, awareness, and mindfulness, we can find safer, healthier ways to cope with challenges and foster a healthier relationship with food and alcohol.