Cited by 133Eating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Food, eating, and weight concerns of men in recovery from substance addiction

Cowan, Jennifer, Devine, Carol·2008·Appetite

Abstract

Dysfunctional eating patterns and excessive weight gains have been observed during recovery from drug and alcohol addictions. Yet, little is known about food choice behaviors among substance abusers and the role that food plays in their lives. The purpose of this study was to understand how men at different stages of recovery from substance addictions experienced food and eating, weight changes, and used food in recovery. A purposive, multi-ethnic sample of 25 urban men at different stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addictions participated in qualitative interviews. Data analysis based on the constant comparative method revealed three main themes: excess weight gain, meaningful use of food, and disordered eating and a struggle to eat healthy that differed by recovery stage (early, mid, and later recovery). Men in early recovery described dysfunctional eating practices such as mood and binge eating, the use of food as a substitute for drug use, and the use of food to satisfy cravings. Men in mid to later recovery expressed weight concerns and distress about efforts to lose weight. The findings also suggest that food deprivation in active addiction and interactions between stage of recovery and living environment may contribute to changes in food choice behaviors and to excess weight gains in recovery. These findings highlight behavioral interactions between food and substance abuse and opportunities for nutrition and weight interventions in recovery.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.appet.2007.05.006

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Authors
Cowan, J., & Devine, C.
Affiliations
Cornell University (US)
Corresponding author
Cowan, Jennifer
Venue
Appetite
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-01
Volume
50
Issue
1
Pages
33-42
ISSN
0195-6663 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2045082641
Cited by
133
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 8
FWCI
2.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Appetite (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
men, food choice behavior, dietary habits, weight gain, disordered eating, binge eating, food cravings, weight loss, food deprivation, recovery stages, nutrition interventions
MeSH terms
Adult, Alcoholism, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Body Weight, Eating, Ethnicity, Food, Food Preferences, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Time Factors, Urban Population, Weight Gain, Body Mass Index, Substance-Related Disorders

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