Similarities between BED and Substance Dependence
- Diminished control over consumption
- Continued use despite negative consequences
- Diminished ability to cut down or abstain from problematic substance
- Elevated levels of impulsivity
- Elevated comorbidity with mood/anxiety disorders
- Triggered by cravings and negative affect
- Similar patterns of neural activations

Differences between BED and Substance Dependence
- BED is associated with elevated concerns with shape or weight, but substance dependence is not
- BED diagnosis specifies that consumption must occur during a discrete period of time, but substance dependence does not
- Substance dependence diagnosis assesses withdrawal, tolerance, amount of time spent on substance-focused activities and activities given up due to substance use, but BED does not
- Substance dependence diagnosis places a greater emphasis on the contribution of the substance (e.g., addictive potential of substances), BED diagnosis does not consider specific types or properties of food consumed (merely the amount)
- Substance dependence treatments typically focus on abstaining from the problematic substance, but BED treatments do not

Similarities and Differences between BED and Food Addiction

Gearhardt, A. N., White, M. A., & Potenza, M. N. (2011). Binge eating disorder and food addiction. Current drug abuse reviews, 4(3), 201–207. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874473711104030201

Barnard College

Petre, A. (2019, October 30). Learn about 6 common types of eating disorders and their symptoms. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders#what-they-are. 

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