Is “Drunkorexia” a Real Thing?

A study of Italian adolescents (ages 16-21) found that 12% indicated they had “restricted food or calories before drinking an alcoholic beverage” in the past 30 days. Those who reported this behavior were also more likely to engage in fasting, binge eating, and use of laxatives. A similar survey of female Australian college students found that over half reported engaging in drunkorexia-type behaviors. A recent cross cultural study found that over half of both French and American college students show signs of drunkorexia.