The Pros and Cons of Recovered Eating Disorder Professionals

The growing community of eating disorder support by clinicians and volunteers who are recovered has been a significant change in the treatment world. On the one hand, recovered people understand how hard it is to eat each meal and snack and know what the eating disorder thoughts mean and how strong they are. On the other hand, it can be hard to assess how recovered clinicians really are and also it can be easy to conflate one’s own experience with the different paths recovery can take.

This model for recovery to include recovered clinicians is an adaptation of addiction treatment. Both 12 step meetings and many treatment programs are run by former addicts. No one understands the strength of addiction the same way. Similarly, it’s easier for a former addict to identify dangerous behavior patterns and to acknowledge the kind of tough love that is often necessary to achieve sobriety.

The models that work for addiction are often used for eating disorders, and for good reason. The behaviors are both compulsive and often driven by irresistible urges. The pattern of recovery and relapse is similar, and the patience needed to slog through the long process to wellness is comparable.

What is fundamentally different is the source of the problem. Drug and alcohol use is a compulsive behavior driven by chemical addiction and by the irresistible urge to alter your mental state; however, these drugs are not necessary for life.

In any stage of eating disorder recovery, continuing to face food and eat many times per day is critical for survival. There is no way to cut out food.

These differences are reflected in brain function as well. The knowledge of brain-based causes of addiction is focused on the surge of various chemicals that create a high. Sobriety means relying on the brain to return to normal chemical levels. Eating behavior is ingrained in the most primitive parts of our brain because food behaviors are necessary for life. Since they are so automatic and unconscious, food behaviors demand enormous conscious attention to change.

Accordingly, it can be hard for recovered clinicians to recognize how different these experiences can be for people in recovery from their own. Like any treatment provider, one in recovery must learn the breadth of eating disorder treatment. Under those circumstances, they can use both their clinical knowledge and their personal experience to best help people in need.