EATING DISORDERS & CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY (EDCD)

Dual diagnosis or Co-Occurring Disorders are when an individual suffers simultaneously from both a psychiatric disorder (like an eating disorder) as well as a substance abuse problem. Seaside Palm Beach specializes in helping those suffering from a dual diagnosis. One type of dual diagnosis is called EDCD (Eating Disorder Chemical Dependency). Individuals suffering from EDCD have both an eating disorder as well as being chemical dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Most people are usually very surprised to learn that eating disorders have little to do with food. Especially when one considers that many people who suffer from eating disorders actually have an unhealthy obsession with food. In the majority of cases, eating disorders have more to do with a lack of emotional well-being resulting from their inability to identify and communicate their own needs and wants effectively to others.

Eating disorders or disordered eating begins only as an emotional/psychological problem but if left unchecked over time will develop into a physical problem that can lead to serious illnesses and possibly death. If an individual suffering from an eating disorder also has an alcohol or drug problem the risk for serious illness or death increases substantially.

Because eating disorders are classified as psychiatric disorders, treatment is effective when the psychological reasons (root causes) are examined and identified in the individual sufferer. The most common psychological behavior that we have observed for individuals suffering from disordered eating is when they are subjected to stress (either external or internal stressors) it triggers their individual eating disorder. This self-destructive learned behavior becomes even further compounded if they also abuse alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism to relieve stress or anxiety.

The highest success rates when treating an individual suffering from a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders are based on the 12-step model for therapy. Central to the program is a special focus that helps the individual develop new and more constructive methods for coping with stress. This may include trying to discover the root cause for the how the disorder started. Research has shown that individuals suffering from eating disorders are hypersensitive to external cues and emotional signals. Part of the therapy process is to help the bring unconscious into awareness and to resolve individual inner developmental conflicts that are responsible for the eating disorder.

Seaside Palm Beach additionally utilizes experiential therapies, massage, EMDR and expressive arts therapy, all of which have positive effects on self-awareness and self-regulation. The goal is to have the individual become more aware of their internal self while simultaneously learning the behavioral tools that are integral to communication and self-nurturing.

Seaside Palm Beach incorporates psycho-educational training, which includes educating the individual about the illness and making them consciously aware of it. Additionally, focused will be placed in a healthy diet. Special focus is not placed on what food and how much food the person eats, but rather on the fears about food and the emotions around food and eating in general.

Because medical research has proven that exercise is an integral part of any healthy lifestyle, Seaside Palm Beach uses a medically supervised physical wellness program as part of our treatment for eating disorders. Recent studies have shown the success rates of treating individuals with eating disorders increases dramatically when a supervised exercise program is included as part of an eating disorder treatment.

So many individuals who have struggled with the co-occurring disorders of substance abuse and an eating disorder complain that there is nowhere for them to turn to get help with both of their recovery challenges simultaneously. At Seaside Palm Beach we have staff who are experts at doing just that--helping people to identify and work through the issues that constitute the underlying "threads that connect" both symptom patterns. These staff members are renown eating disorder and substance abuse specialists who have the capacity to work within, and where necessary, go beyond the 12 step model to both support joint symptom management and deeper core-issue resolution, so the cycle of "see-sawing" back and forth, from substance abuse to eating disorder, can finally be stopped. Our dual diagnosis program focuses on trauma resolution, grief work, and self-esteem repair, and we provide round the clock staffing to support people in creating and maintaining a healthier relationship to food and eating. This work, in conjunction with a sober and responsible commitment to recovery from their substance abuse, can empower people to move forward in their lives with confidence and hope, knowing they can get off the dual diagnosis "see-saw" once and for all.

Anyone who is suffering from an eating disorder knows how hard it is to stop their self-destructive behavior of disordered eating on their own. But when you are also suffering from alcohol or drug abuse as with EDCD (Eating Disorder & Chemical Dependency) it is not just very difficult but also very dangerous to attempt to stop on your own. Seaside Palm Beach provides you with the professional help and medical supervision you need in a very desirable and caring environment so your treatment can succeed.

Call or email us 24/7 toll-free at (888) 432-2467 to stop the self-destructive cycle of EDCD and give yourself a chance at happiness and living (which is not the same thing as just existing or surviving from day to day).