Eating disorders and chemical dependency among students

Summary

This paper explores the relationships between eating disorders and chemical dependency factors. Various eating disorders are described. Discussion of addiction concerns recognizes the commonalities of etiology. A sample of Black students (N = 374) at a medium‐sized, public, eastern community college was administered sections of the Core Instrument, Health Locus of Control Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale, and Compulsive Eating Scale. Respective chemical dependency factors examined were for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine, as well as reported family history of chemical dependency. These factors were compared with measures of eating disorders, health locus of control, and satisfaction with life. No strong associations were found linking eating disorders and the chemical dependency factors examined in this study within the same individual. Although strong positive correlations were found between the age of first use and the frequency of use within the last year of the various drugs that were considered. Practical suggestions are included, along with a discussion of treatment commonalities.