Sobriety and Eating Disorders: What to Do When One Coping Mechanism Replaces Another
For many people, sobriety is a profound act of healing.
You remove alcohol or weed from your life, hoping to find clarity, calm, or more control. And then, almost out of nowhere, you start binge eating. Or purging. Or obsessively thinking about food and your body in ways that feel all too familiar.
This can feel confusing and scary. You’re doing the right thing by getting sober… so why does it suddenly feel like you’re losing control in another area?
You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong.
When One Coping Mechanism Replaces Another
It’s incredibly common for disordered eating to surface (or resurface) in early sobriety.
That’s because for many people, alcohol or marijuana served as a coping tool: a way to check out, self-soothe, or regulate emotions. When you take it away, your nervous system is still searching for a way to feel safe. Food becomes the next accessible tool.
This isn’t about lack of willpower; it’s about adaptation. Your system is doing its best to survive.
What This Might Look Like
You may notice:
An increase in binge eating, especially at night
A return to restrict/purge cycles that you thought you were past
Body image obsession or compulsive weighing
Eating to numb, escape, or “come down” from uncomfortable feelings
For many people, food becomes a replacement for the regulation that substances once offered.
This doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means your body is asking for deeper care.
The Connection Between Addiction and Eating Disorders
While alcohol and eating disorders may look different on the surface, they often stem from the same roots:
A desire to control what feels chaotic
A need to numb or escape emotional pain
A struggle with shame, perfectionism, or self-worth
Early experiences of neglect, trauma, or rejection
Both behaviors offer temporary relief, but over time, they reinforce the very pain we’re trying to avoid.
That’s why many people find that when they remove one coping strategy, another one rises to take its place.
Why Eating Disorders Can Emerge in Sobriety
Sobriety often brings more emotional clarity, which also means you feel more.
Without alcohol or weed to buffer your experience, you may notice:
Loneliness
Anxiety
Grief
Past trauma resurfacing
A sudden awareness of how uncomfortable it is to be in your body
Eating, restricting, or purging can become ways to manage those feelings. It’s not logical, but it makes sense on a nervous system level.
This Is Not a Setback. It’s a Signal
If disordered eating has become part of your sober experience, it’s not a sign you’re broken. It’s a sign that your system is looking for safety and doesn’t yet have all the tools it needs.
The goal isn’t to feel shame. The goal is to get curious. What am I feeling? What am I trying not to feel? What do I actually need right now?
Recovery doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It can be layered, nuanced, and still deeply valid.
How Therapy Can Help You Heal on Both Fronts
Disordered eating and substance use often go hand in hand, but few people get support for both at the same time. At Kendall B Therapy, we understand that healing happens across multiple levels.
In therapy, you can:
Explore the emotional function food and substances have served
Learn tools to regulate emotions without self-punishment
Rebuild trust with your body, one gentle step at a time
Identify the root beliefs driving shame, control, or perfectionism
Develop a sustainable, non-restrictive approach to recovery
Whether you’re working toward sobriety, re-evaluating your relationship to food, or trying to make peace with your body, therapy can meet you right where you are.
What You’re Feeling Makes Sense
Maybe food was never “an issue” until you got sober.
Maybe you’re afraid to admit how out of control it feels.
Maybe you’re wondering if you’re sick enough to get help.
Here’s the truth:
You deserve support even if things aren’t “that bad.”
You don’t have to wait until you hit bottom. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Recovery Paths
You’re allowed to work on sobriety and disordered eating at the same time. You’re allowed to feel conflicted. You’re allowed to take it one step at a time.
Book a free consultation with Kendall today to explore how therapy can support your journey through sobriety, disordered eating, and the deep, compassionate healing that connects them both.
Hi I’m Kendall! I’m a licensed mental health counselor based in NY and NJ.
I help high-achieving adults navigate challenges like anxiety, disordered eating, and their relationship with alcohol and marijuana, whether they’re pursuing full sobriety recovery or sober curious therapy. My work supports healing, self-trust, and sustainable growth through compassionate, evidence-based care.