Substance Use and Eating Disorders: Practical Approaches for Treating Co-occurring Conditions

Presented by:

Eating Disorders (ED) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) frequently co-occur, with up to 70% of patients having a dual diagnosis. Despite this, integrated treatment options are sparse and often prioritize one disorder over the other. This presentation will review the current literature, epidemiology, and diagnostic landscape of co-occurring EDs and SUDs, including the limitations of current screening tools. We will highlight the benefits of integrated service delivery through treatment approaches like Motivational Interviewing (MI), DBT, and psychoeducation. Participants will learn the importance of collaborative care across disciplines—mental health professionals, medical teams, dietitians, addiction specialists, and families. Case examples will illustrate common healthcare system challenges and provide practical strategies for fostering communication, continuity of care, and aligning treatment goals with external providers. Resources for ongoing education will also be shared.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the current understanding of biological, psychological, and social mechanisms linking eating disorders and addictive behaviors/addiction.

2. Utilize at least two screening tools to identify and assess co-occurring eating disorders and addiction.

3. Apply at least two evidence-based and emerging therapeutic interventions addressing both disorders concurrently, including harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care.

4. Describe the importance of collaborative care across disciplines—mental health professionals, medical teams, dietitians, addiction specialists, and families.

This training is from 3 pm to 4 pm EST.

1 CE offered

REGISTER HERE

About the Speaker:

Dr. Meera Beharry is a Staff Physician and Adolescent Medicine Advisor at Equip, with over 20 years of experience working with children and young adults in a variety of settings. At Equip, Dr. Beharry advances the standard of adolescent care — delivering expert treatment while expanding reach and clinical influence.