Dieting can lead to drugs

Question: Which comes first, dieting or drug abuse?

Answer: It appears that the cravings that naturally develop from extreme dieting can trigger a desire to use drugs. This drive can be founded in basic biology. Even laboratory rats fed low-cal diets chose to increase their use of drugs if they are made available.

Alternatively, if a drug is perceived as a short cut to weight loss, people start using it for that purpose. Unfortunately, many of these drugs are so addictive that temporary use is unlikely.

Q: Why would someone turn to addictive drugs for weight control?

A: We can only speculate. Weight-loss techniques go in and out of fashion. When smoking started to lose its social acceptability, fewer people were willing to take the risk of smoking to curb appetite and lose weight. Many turned to diet pills, but over time many prescription drugs were pulled off the market.

During the past decade, dietary supplements, especially those containing ephedra and caffeine, gained popularity. As risks became apparent, ephedra was pulled from the market. Other supplements have tried to fill the gap -- for example, products with green-tea extracts -- but these don't appear as effective. This has left a gap that prompts some people to try illegal addictive drugs such as methamphetamine. What starts out as a casual weight-control problem turns into drug addiction, serious substance abuse and problems that can destroy lives.

Q: Can eating disorders such as anorexia and bulemia lead to drug abuse?

A: There might be more such cases than is obvious. The pressure to be thin can be so tremendous for youths that a simple comment from a parent, coach or teacher about the need to lose weight can initiate a combination of dieting and drug abuse. The long-term ramifications can be devastating, and treatment is complex and difficult.

Research shows that drug use can lead to weight loss, and the desire for weight loss can lead to drug abuse. Pressuring anyone about body weight can backfire. Providing a healthy, balanced food environment along with opportunities for exercise can help to support a healthy body image. This, in turn, could help prevent drug abuse.