Vyvanse and binge eating are two things that can go together. It is imperative that you speak with your doctor and Crestview Recovery counselor to explore if you are a candidate to use this drug. Binge eating disorder treatment is right here at Crestview Recovery. BED or Binge Eating Disorder is just one of the conditions we treat. Call us at 866.262.0531 to find out more.
Though Vyvanse has been FDA-approved for treatment in both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, (ADHD) and Binge Eating Disorder, (BED), it is also known as a drug of abuse. If you have a history of substance use then this medication would be contraindicated. It’s important to be honest about your history so that your health can be maintained.
What Exactly is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder, (BED) is a life-threatening medical condition with psychological overtones. Poor body image is the culprit. According to National Eating Disorders.Org, binge eater‘s have continuous episodes of consuming larger than normal amounts of food within a short period of time. Binge eating is accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame surrounding the binge. These episodes occur at least once per week over three months. The episode of binge eating must be accompanied by at least three of the following behaviors to be categorized as a BED episode:
- Food consumption is much faster than you normally eat
- Food consumption goes beyond feeling full or content
- Consuming huge amounts though you’re not physiologically hungry
- Feeling embarrassed and ashamed by the amount of food you’re consuming and eating alone as a result
- Once the binge is over, you feel unhappy and extremely guilty
Binge eating is not followed with intentional regurgitation or purging. These behaviors are associated with bulimia. According to WebMD, Vyvanse can be used to treat binge eating disorder. In this way, Vyvanse and binge eating go hand in hand. Studies show that it is an effective medication and is approved by the FDA. Studies indicate that participants in the study binged half as much as those who were not taking Vyvanse.
Learning as much as possible about Vyvanse and binge eating will help you understand your issue. Binge Eating Disorder affects 1% to 5% of the American population. Since it can lead to clinical obesity, individuals are at risk of death from this disease. Because it s a central nervous system stimulant, it is a controlled substance. There are people who abuse Vyvanse.
What Exactly Is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is a stimulant that works on the central nervous system. Once taken, the medication slowly becomes dextroamphetamine. Dextroamphetamine increases dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical in your brain that revolves around feelings of motivation and reward. Dopamine makes you experience feelings of pleasure. It also plays a role in focus, energy, and attention. With that dopamine increase, people with ADHD are able to concentrate and focus on tasks more easily. Vyvanse is classified as a schedule II drug by the FDA because it has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
Vyvanse initiates the dopamine release in your system. In short, Vyvanse keeps the dopamine levels up in your body so binge eaters don’t feel a need to compensate with excessive food consumption.
How Vyvanse And Binge Eating Come Together
When people binge on food they also feel an increased level of dopamine, as the excessive food consumption triggers the release of dopamine. However, the dopamine release from binging on food is followed by a crash, as the body cannot maintain such an extreme level of dopamine. Some people with ADHD may try to self-medicate with Vyvanse in order to achieve that sense of pleasure and avoid the crash. However, this can lead to addiction and abuse as the person builds up a tolerance to the drug.
It is important to note that Vyvanse is not a cure for ADHD, but rather it helps to manage the symptoms. It is possible to develop tolerance to the medication and it is also possible to experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication suddenly.
Crestview Recovery treats all manner of mental health issues, including substance use. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Crestview caters to this region of the country. Here are some things to keep in mind about us:
- Relapse prevention is an important component of care at Crestview
- The client to staff ratio is smaller than what you find at most facilities
- We offer a high quality, individualized style of care
- The mountains, rivers, trails and other beautiful outdoor amenities are available
Getting Back To Your Natural Self
In addition to great therapeutic modalities to treat all types of mental health issues, Crestview Recovery is big on getting out and into the outdoors. We find that individuals who have hobbies are able to fill their time healthily. Toward that end, we have the beautiful backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. We use it, too. The great outdoors and other scenic outdoor amenities are great ways to reconcile yourself to healthier living. Call us today at 866.262.0531 to begin the first day of the rest of your happier, healthier life.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
