There’s a new trend among college students that blends dieting and drinking called Drunkorexia.
The term Drunkorexia refers to people who restrain from eating meals to avoid calories to make room for alcohol calories. It is mostly common amongst female college students, ages 18-23, however a few males have jumped on board as well.
This disease has resulted from students wanting to maintain their small body frames, and avoid falling into the typical college bad eating habits and dealing with things like Freshmen 15. It’s also suggested that it’s the perfect way to feel the alcohol quicker.
While students are thinking of this as a diet plan, many health physicians have referred to Drunkorexia as an eating disorder and alcohol abuse in one, and describe it as being very dangerous to young adults.
There are many risks involved with Drunkorexia, that include but are not limited to, not getting the proper amount of nutrients needed to be able to function, getting drunker faster and not being able to control your actions, and the next morning feeling terrible, not knowing what happened.
In fact “Drunkorexics”, tend to not have a problem with vomiting at the end of the night, because it’s a way to rid the calories from drinking.
After sitting in the Boling University Center on the UTM campus, it was discovered that only a a hand few of students knew what Drunkorexia was. Most students have never heard of this condition nor do they know anyone personally that does this.
“I never thought of that before. (Laughs) I mean, it seems crazy because I’ve always thought people would eat before drinking to avoid the hangover,” said senior Computer Science major Domonix Gibson.
Students did say, however,that they were not shocked that this was going on.
“It’s always a lot of pressure to stay small for women or buff for guys. Media advertisement will always have an effect of how we see ourselves and how we live our life and I don’t think it’s nothing we can do to prevent it,” said sophomore Education major Keyana Parrish.
While the trend probably hasn’t hit the Martin campus yet, there have been many studies that show this is not just a myth, but also a fact that students are taking several health risks and participating in this new odd form of dieting. The numbers have increased to 20-30 percent in females and 10 percent in males in the last 8 months and studies show 16 percent do it on a regular basis.
It’s now starting to be a question to many if the act actually even works. It has always been said to lose weight you avoid many drinks, including alcohol.
An article written by the Los Angles Times further explains these young adults’ idea of trading or swamping food calories for alcohol calories is not effective. All calories are not equal so instead of losing weight, Drunkorexics are more likely to just add other problems to their lives.
Whether this practice works or not it can be very dangerous and health experts are trying to think of ways to stop young adults before it’s too late, but how to stop it has not been discovered.
There’s no medical prescription to give to those who are having a problem or know someone who’s having a problem with Drunkorexia it has been recommended to find other alternatives to staying small and having fun. Regular visits to the gym, choose drinks at the bar wisely (some alcohol beverages and beers have more calories than others) and seek help.
Call Recovery Connection at 800-993-3869 and find a treatment program right for your needs. All calls are confidential and free of charge.
