Body Dysmorphia (BDD) And Addiction

Substance Use In People With Body Dysmorphia 

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition in which an individual develops a distressing or impairing preoccupation with perceived physical flaws. People with BDD have a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD), as the high levels of emotional distress and anxiety caused by BDD can affect a person’s ability to socialize or even function. In turn, people dealing with body dysmorphia can turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism.

According to a study published by the US National Library of Medicine, SUDs are 2% to 13% more likely in individuals with BDD. Additionally, they found that 68% of participants suffering from addiction reported that BDD contributed to their dependency.

What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder/Body Dysmorphia?

Body dysmorphic disorder, also known as body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition characterized by incessant thoughts about one or more perceived defects or flaws in one’s appearance.

While the exact cause of BDD is unknown, a combination of risk factors plays a role in its development. BDD risk factors include environmental, psychological, and biological conditions.

Risk factors for BDD include:

Actions or experiences that create consistent feelings of inadequacy and shame during childhood are particularly correlated with body dysmorphia.

Signs And Symptoms Of Body Dysmorphia

The onset of the disease typically begins in adolescence. As BDD progresses, the development of one or more body-focused repetitive behaviors or mental acts is common. The actions can be compulsive and irrational, but they are always in response to physical appearance.

Common symptoms and warning signs of BDD include:

People suffering from BDD may show a combination of different behaviors at a varied frequency.

Common Substances Abused By People With Body Dysmorphia

People with BDD often abuse substances as either a way to self-medicate and cope with their obsessive thoughts or as a perceived tool to help them achieve their physical goals, like weight loss or muscle building.

Stimulants

People with body dysmorphia may use stimulants, like cocaine and Adderall, as appetite suppressants to achieve and maintain their weight loss goals.

This may work for a time, as chronic cocaine abuse disrupts a user’s metabolic processes, resulting in weight loss caused by a lack of fat intake and storage. However, the metabolic imbalance can also lead to a dysfunction in fat regulation. During cocaine addiction treatment, sudden weight gain due to the restoration of the body’s fat system can cause intense distress and lead to a recovering user’s relapse.

Steroids

Muscle dysmorphic disorder (MDD) is a type of BDD where the individual focuses on the belief that they are not muscular or lean enough. It is common for people affected by MDD to take supplements to achieve their desired look. Once regular supplements stop “working,” many begin to misuse anabolic steroids or growth hormones. Research estimates that about 3 million people habitually misuse steroids.

Alcohol

A study from the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders found that lifetime prevalence rates of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in those with BDD are high, as many people use alcohol to self-medicate and get temporary relief from their obsessive thoughts about their body image concerns.

This self-medication worsens BDD long-term, increasing health risks and complicating treatment, and necessitates integrated therapy to treat both conditions. About one-third of individuals with BDD misuse alcohol, driven by a need to cope with distress, lower inhibitions for social situations, or distract from insecurities. This approach often backfires, as alcohol misuse can physically alter appearance (e.g., skin issues, puffiness) and intensify underlying anxiety and depression.

Marijuana

People suffering from body dysmorphia can also misuse marijuana, as users try to ease their image distortion symptoms with marijuana’s perception-altering effects. They may view marijuana use as an escape from their destructive thoughts and, as a result, can develop a cannabis use disorder.

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Treatment For Body Dysmorphia (BDD) And Addiction

Treatment for body dysmorphia typically focuses on correcting false beliefs and minimizing compulsive behavior. To do this, treatment methods typically focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication, specifically the use of SSRIs.

When BDD is coupled with a substance use disorder, addiction treatment methods vary based on an individual’s needs and their healthcare provider’s recommendations.

There are many forms of treatment available, but comprehensive treatment for BDD and addiction often includes:

• Psychotherapy
• Behavioral Therapy
• Medication-Assisted Treatment
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy

Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Treatment

Successful treatment of BDD and addiction can occur in inpatient or outpatient rehab with a combination of talk therapies and medications.

Inpatient rehabilitation facilities provide patients with medical supervision and treatment medications. They are beneficial options for people who are ready and able to invest time into their recovery, living away from the temptations of everyday life.

Similarly, outpatient rehab offers counseling and other programs, but on a less restricted schedule. Outpatient rehab is a beneficial option for people who want to maintain their regular schedule or need to maintain residence at home.

Get Help For BDD And Addiction Now

Dealing with BDD and addiction alone can be daunting; fortunately, finding treatment for co-occurring disorders is possible.

Regardless of the severity of a person’s symptoms, treatment is available for a person afflicted with co-occurring body dysmorphia and substance use disorder. To learn more about your rehab options, visit our rehab directory or contact a treatment provider today to get started.