Substance Use and Eating Disorders with Sydney Greene
Have you ever noticed how sometimes substance use and eating disorders are intertwined?
It turns out, these issues like to hang out together more often than not, complicating treatment and recovery. So, why do we keep these so separate in our conversations? There’s this illusion that some people can juggle their substance use with such precision. Spoiler alert: it's not as glamorous as it sounds.
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There are high-functioning individuals who appear to have it all together but are secretly living in a tangled web of anxiety and over-control. Think you're organized? Try keeping tabs on your drinking habits to the point where it becomes a full-time job. It's not all fun and games, though—there's a real, hidden pain behind these controlled facades that often goes unnoticed.
We explore the nuances of high-functioning addiction, revealing the over-controlled and calculating behavior around food and substances, as well as the subtle signs of a problem that may not be immediately visible. Our goal is to offer insights on how individuals facing these hidden struggles can find help in a world that often overlooks their challenges.
In this episode, I’m joined by Sydney Greene, a Registered Dietitian specializing in behavioral health nutrition. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. Before establishing her private practice, Sydney developed the nutrition program at an addiction treatment center in Brooklyn, NY. Her private practice now focuses on nutrition for addiction recovery, disordered eating, body image issues, and chronic digestive problems. As a Registered Dietitian, Sydney has contributed to publications such as Very Well Fit, Nike, Health Magazine, and Shape. She also speaks to companies, therapy groups, and treatment centers about the role of food in recovery. Additionally, Sydney serves as the Addictions Resource Professional for the Behavioral Health Nutrition practice group under the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
In this episode, we’re discussing:
The importance of reflecting on your drinking history and outcomes.
The interconnection between substance use and eating disorders.
The complexities of treating substance use and eating disorders together.
Common misconceptions about what substance use and eating disorders look like.
Signs that someone might be struggling with substances or eating disorders.
The overlap between substance use and eating disorders.
The challenges faced by high-functioning individuals with substance use and eating disorders.
The distinct sets of rules for treating eating disorders versus substance use.
The importance of harm reduction approaches for clients with both eating disorders and substance use issues.
The need for a supportive treatment team, including therapists and dietitians, to handle the nuanced and individualized nature of recovery.
The critical role of curiosity, self-reflection, and journaling in understanding one's relationship with substances and food.
The notion of a "God-sized hole" or spiritual emptiness that people attempt to fill with various addictions, emphasizing the importance of internal regulation and spiritual fulfillment.
The benefits of a calm and steady life, free from the chaos of addiction, and the satisfaction that comes from internal stability and meaningful connections.
Practical suggestions for clients to experiment with harm reduction strategies and to build a support system that promotes honest and open communication.
Tweetable Quotes
“Write out all the times you remember drinking. What was the outcome of that?” - Sydney Greene
"I never thought that I had an issue. I thought I was just a young person partying in New York City and everything was fine. And then it really quickly became not so fine." - Sydney Greene
“Treatment is so complicated.” - Rachelle Heinemann
"I see disorders as something that's protective in many ways, but then it becomes totally maladaptive and harmful. And then we find alcohol or weed or opioids or something like that, and it does the same thing." - Sydney Greene
"There's a tiger in a cage and you have to go and let the tiger out three times a day and put the tiger back in. Whereas for alcohol, you don't.” - Sydney Greene
“I'm going to say when someone has both an eating disorder and substance use issues, we just can't follow some of the cookie cutter suggestions.” - Sydney Greene
Resources
Connect with Sydney here: https://www.sydneygreenehealth.com/
Find her on Instagram!: @greenehealth
Resource Library: https://www.sydneygreenehealth.com/resources (Offering 50% off for my food and mood training for therapists. Use code PODCAST)
Grab the Replay of the Resistance in Treatment Webinar
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Related Episodes
Episode 82. Secrets and Eating Disorders with Dr. Kathryn Zerbe
Episode 69. High Functioning Eating Disorders
Episode 57. The Connection Between Trauma and Eating Disorders with Heather Ferguson, LCSW
Episode 42. How your relationship with money and food are connected with Lindsay Bryan-Podvin
Episode 26. Eating Disorders and the Mind/Body Disconnect with Danielle Novack, Ph.D
Episode 10. Social Media, Societal Pressure, Disordered Eating, and Poor Body Image
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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