Anorexia

Hi,

My best friend is suffering from what I think is anorexia. He's 23 and about 180cm tall and weighs 61kg. He's very picky about food but loves to serve and watch other people eat. He used to be really overweight in High School. He only eats low fat food, mainly salad or things that doesn't contain any oil or fat. Even though he hardly eats at all and only eats healthy, low calorie food, he still goes to the bathroom to throw it all up. He weighs himself about three times a day. Although he looks like a skeleton with skin, he still believes he looks ok, and doesn't want to gain any weight. To make things worse, he is also most definitely an alcoholic. He drinks and gets drunk every single night for the past two years. (mostly on cheap wine) He says he can't sleep when he's sober. He gets nightmares. He hates being alone, and sleeps over when his dad is out of town. His parents just separated and his two brothers left town. Going to counseling is not an option he would NEVER ever go. We talk a lot about his drinking problem, but he's very stubborn, we never talked about his food disorder. I really wouldn't write to you if I wouldn't be so worried. I would like to know what I can do to help him. We are together everyday, but it's getting hard on me too. It hurts seeing a friend in trouble. And I too started to drink more since we're together everyday.
Please, please advice.
Best regards,
Kat. 24

Your friend have serious problems but seems unwilling to do anything about them. It is quite disturbing that he takes you with him in his alcohol problems. Get som friends that do not have such destructive impact on you before it is too late. Web4health.info has written a lot about eating disorders and alcoholism. Read those pages and you will have a greater understanding for these addictions.