HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Is There A Link Between People Suffering With Eating Disorder And Heroin Addicts?

Hi, my name is Chelsea Porter. I have been studying eating disorders and the links between them and heroine addicts for quite some time now. I have found an undeniable endorphin link, there are few studies, but I have found that there is a strong similarity in the endorphin that is released when people do heroine and when people starve themselves, or purge. I, Myself, struggle with a non specific eating disorder, and I suppose my question is that if that strong link is there, why can they not give anorexic girls an opiate blocker as they do with heroine addicts to solve the problem?
Mon, 1 Jun 2015
Report Abuse
  User's Response
Hi Chelsea,

You may be interested in this article: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/articles/addiction-and-eating-disorders

As you are aware, Eating Disorders are complex and there is a strong psychological undercurrent for why this illness has affected you. Olanzapine is one proposed treatment which is useful in reducing anxiety around food and blocking dopamine, which is a reward center. In comparison, Dopamine is increased and activated by Heroine. Olanzapine can be used in heroin addicts to help reduce their cravings however it is not first line. From experience, the antidepressant Sertraline and Olanzapine is suggested as a combination treatment which is most effective in Anorexia Nervosa.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
Is There A Link Between People Suffering With Eating Disorder And Heroin Addicts?

Hi Chelsea, You may be interested in this article: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/articles/addiction-and-eating-disorders As you are aware, Eating Disorders are complex and there is a strong psychological undercurrent for why this illness has affected you. Olanzapine is one proposed treatment which is useful in reducing anxiety around food and blocking dopamine, which is a reward center. In comparison, Dopamine is increased and activated by Heroine. Olanzapine can be used in heroin addicts to help reduce their cravings however it is not first line. From experience, the antidepressant Sertraline and Olanzapine is suggested as a combination treatment which is most effective in Anorexia Nervosa.