Weight Loss and Addiction Explained
In our society, which often places a high value on physical appearance, many individuals go to great lengths to lose weight. However, for some, weight loss – which can be alarmingly excessive – is a harmful side effect of substance misuse and addiction, significantly affecting their physical and mental health.
What is Weight Loss?
Weight loss refers simply to the reduction of body mass, whether it be in fluid, lean mass or body fat, including muscles, bone matter, tendons, and other connective tissues. This definition does not cover weight loss due to surgical procedures.
What causes weight loss?
Weight reduction can be intentional, achieved through methods such as exercise and consuming fewer calories, or through medical interventions like gastric bypass and gastric banding.
On the other hand, weight loss might also happen unexpectedly: various illnesses can lead to significant, and sometimes dangerous, weight loss due to reduced appetite, physical difficulties in eating, impaired digestion, excessive loss of nutrients, and changes in metabolism.
There are also circumstances where individuals, although not ill, are unable to access enough calories to maintain their weight. This situation may affect prisoners of war, individuals stranded in wilderness or at sea, and victims of kidnapping or human trafficking. Also at risk of unintended weight loss are those engaged in prolonged substance abuse or suffering from addiction.
Weight loss as an addiction symptom
Individuals who struggle with drug addiction often encounter significant weight loss due to a variety of reasons. They might regularly find themselves too under the influence to remember to eat. Drugs can reduce their appetite or cause nausea, which is a frequent consequence of drug use. Financial limitations stemming from addiction might prevent them from accessing enough food. Additionally, their lifestyle may involve intense physical activities like dancing or sports without consuming enough calories to match.
When addicted, people may also suffer from illnesses, either related or unrelated to their drug use, that lead to weight loss. These illnesses often remain untreated because the addiction takes precedence. Moreover, addiction can lead to the development of other mental health disorders that affect weight. The most common of these are eating disorders, although there are many other mental health conditions associated with addiction that can have a similar effect.
What are the symptoms of weight loss?
Weight loss is essentially self-evident – the term itself indicates the primary symptom. The most accurate way to identify it is through direct measurement. In severe cases, however, the weight loss becomes visibly noticeable. It can also lead to or be linked with other issues, such as malnutrition, which can be identified either visually or through medical evaluations.
How is weight loss diagnosed?
Weight loss itself can be considered a diagnostic sign. Medical professionals often regard it as indicative of various underlying conditions, including different types of addiction. This approach is essential for a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s health, recognising weight loss not just as a standalone issue, but as a potential indicator of more complex health challenges.
How is weight loss treated?
Weight loss, often stemming from inadequate or poor nutrition, necessitates dietary adjustments as a primary form of treatment. In severe instances of drastic weight loss, a sudden return to normal eating habits can be dangerously counterproductive. In such cases, alternative means of nutrition, such as intranasal (through the nose) or intravenous nutrient administration, might be necessary until a safe weight threshold is once again achieved.
Medical professionals may advise reducing or temporarily halting activities contributing to weight loss, like intense physical exercise, at least until the patient attains a healthy weight. Where weight loss is linked to an underlying illness, addressing this health issue becomes critical. Likewise, if it is the result of substance abuse or addiction, a comprehensive treatment plan, potentially involving residential rehabilitation, is essential to address the root cause of the problem.
Ready to Get Help for Your Addiction?
Battling with an addiction and experiencing a significant weight loss are clear signs that it’s time to seek immediate assistance. The journey to recovery begins with you. Recognising your situation is the first critical step towards getting the help you need.
Take control of your life – get started on the road to recovery
Don’t allow another day to pass under the shadow of addiction and its detrimental effects on your health. Reach out to your GP or an addiction specialist to explore the treatment options at your disposal.
Across the country, numerous facilities and organisations stand ready to assist you in overcoming your addiction and restoring your health. Regain control of your life. Make that vital call to your GP or an addiction specialist, and take the first steps on the path to recovery and wellbeing.
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