Overcoming Eating Disorders with Denver Eating Disorder Residential Treatment

**Mile High Recovery Center does not offer residential eating disorder treatment as a primary service. This guide is provided as an educational resource for people in Colorado who want to learn more about eating disorders, how they often overlap with substance use, and what to look for when seeking the right level of care. If you need help with drug or alcohol addiction, we offer inpatient and outpatient programs that fit your needs.

Introduction to Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect how a person eats and thinks about food. They can disrupt every part of life: physical health, relationships, work, and emotional well-being. They also rarely exist alone. For many people, an eating disorder develops alongside other conditions, with substance use being one of the most common.

Research suggests that people with eating disorders are significantly more likely to experience substance use disorders than the general population. Stimulants used for appetite suppression, alcohol used to numb difficult emotions, and the misuse of diet pills or laxatives are just a few of the patterns that link the two conditions. Understanding these overlaps can help individuals and families recognize when more than one issue needs to be addressed for healing to take hold.

What is an Eating Disorder?

Why Get Help for an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are not about willpower, vanity, or personal choice. They are complex conditions that change the brain, the body, and the way a person relates to food, themselves, and others. Left untreated, they can lead to serious medical complications and, in many cases, can be life-threatening.

Getting professional help early often makes the difference between a long and painful journey and a path toward lasting recovery. When substance use is also involved, treatment becomes even more important. Drugs and alcohol can mask the underlying emotional struggles driving the eating disorder, and the two conditions tend to fuel one another in a cycle that is very difficult to break without specialized care.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders develop through a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. No single cause explains why one person develops an eating disorder and another does not.

Instead, certain risk factors raise the likelihood, and many of those same factors also raise the likelihood of substance use. The sections below cover some of the most well-studied contributors.

Below are some risk factors for eating disorders.¹

Family History

Eating disorders and substance use disorders both run in families. Genetics plays a significant role, and research suggests that having a close relative with either condition increases a person’s risk for both. Beyond genetics, family environment, learned attitudes about food and weight, and early modeling of coping behaviors also shape risk.

Family dynamics and behaviors can also contribute to the development of an eating disorder. Children who grow up in families that are overly concerned with weight, appearance, or dieting may be more likely to develop unhealthy attitudes and behaviors around food and body image.

Additionally, family members who engage in disordered eating or have a history of mental illness may influence the development of an eating disorder in their children.

Age

Eating disorders most often emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, though they can develop at any age. The teen and early adult years are also a period when many people first experiment with drugs and alcohol, which is part of why these substance use disorders and eating disorders can appear together during the same life stage.

Gender

Eating disorders affect people of all genders. Women are diagnosed more often, but men, transgender, and non-binary individuals are also affected and frequently underdiagnosed due to stigma and outdated assumptions about who develops these conditions. Co-occurring substance use is documented across all populations.

Societal pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, particularly for girls and women, lead to many individuals developing an eating disorder. The media often portrays thinness as the ideal body type, leading some individuals to believe that being thin equates to being attractive, successful, and worthy.

Mental Health

Anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and trauma-related disorders are strongly linked to eating disorders. These same conditions also drive substance use, which is why people struggling with one set of symptoms often find themselves struggling with both. Treating the underlying mental health condition is usually central to lasting recovery from either issue.

Dieting

Restrictive dieting is one of the strongest behavioral predictors of an eating disorder. For some people, the urge to control food intake leads to the use of substances like stimulants, nicotine, or caffeine to suppress appetite. Over time, this pattern can develop into both a clinical eating disorder and a substance use disorder.

Trauma

A history of trauma, particularly during childhood, is a common thread among people who develop eating disorders. Trauma also significantly raises the risk of substance use, as both behaviors can become ways of coping with overwhelming emotions or memories. Trauma-informed care is essential when either condition is present, and especially when both are.

It is important to remember that these risk factors do not mean someone will have an eating disorder.

Many people have these risk factors and do not develop eating disorders. The most important thing is to be aware of the risks and get help if needed.

Common Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders take several forms. The most common diagnoses are described below, along with notes on how substance use can intersect with each.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa involves severe restriction of food intake and a deep fear of weight gain, often paired with a distorted view of body image. Common signs may include:

Significant and unhealthy weight loss
Intense preoccupation with food, calories, or body image
Extreme restriction of food intake
Avoidance of eating in social settings
Excessive exercise patterns
Withdrawal from friends and family

Health Issues Associated with Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa can be very dangerous. It can lead to many health problems. Some of these include:

Heart problems, including arrhythmia and low blood pressure
Bone density loss and increased risk of fractures
Severe nutritional deficiencies
Hormonal disruptions
Increased risk of stimulant misuse for appetite suppression
Higher risk of death than any other psychiatric condition

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of overeating followed by compensatory behaviors aimed at preventing weight gain. The cycle is often hidden, which can delay diagnosis. Common signs may include:

Some symptoms of bulimia nervosa may include:³

Recurring episodes of consuming large amounts of food
Feelings of loss of control during these episodes
Use of compensatory behaviors after eating
Strong shame or secrecy around eating
Frequent fluctuations in weight
Tooth and digestive complications

Health Issues Associated with Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa can also be dangerous. It can cause health problems like:

Electrolyte imbalances
Damage to teeth and esophagus
Gastrointestinal problems
Dehydration
Higher rates of alcohol misuse compared to the general population
Increased risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder involves recurring episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period, accompanied by a sense of being unable to stop. Unlike bulimia, it does not involve regular compensatory behaviors.

Some symptoms of binge eating disorder include:⁴

Eating much more rapidly than usual
Eating until uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts when not physically hungry
Eating alone due to embarrassment
Feelings of guilt, disgust, or depression afterward
Use of food to cope with emotions

Health Issues Associated with Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder can cause health problems, too. Some of these include:

Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Joint and mobility problems
Higher rates of co-occurring depression and substance use

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)

OSFED is a category for eating disorders that cause serious distress but do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. It is just as serious as the other diagnoses and often goes underrecognized. Some examples include:⁵

Atypical anorexia, where restriction is severe but weight remains within or above the typical range
Subthreshold bulimia or binge eating
Purging disorder without binge episodes
Night eating syndrome

The link between eating disorders and substance use applies just as strongly to OSFED diagnoses, and people in this category benefit from the same kind of comprehensive, integrated care recommended for other eating disorders.

This is where Denver eating disorder residential treatment centers can be beneficial.

Importance of Seeking Treatment for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders carry serious medical and psychological consequences. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes, and waiting often means the condition becomes harder to treat. When substance use is also part of the picture, the risks compound. Addressing both conditions together, rather than in isolation, gives people the best chance at sustained recovery.

Physical Consequences of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can cause many health problems. They can hurt a person’s body in many ways. This can include:

Cardiovascular complications
Bone density loss
Hormonal and reproductive issues
Gastrointestinal damage
Electrolyte imbalances
Compromised immune function

Mental Consequences of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can also hurt a person’s mental health. They can cause feelings of:

Depression and anxiety
Social isolation
Obsessive thought patterns
Increased risk of self-harm
Co-occurring substance use
Reduced quality of life

Importance of Intervention

The earlier a person receives professional care, the better the long-term outcome. Intervention is not about confrontation but about connection: helping someone recognize they deserve support and that recovery is possible. When loved ones notice both eating concerns and substance use, raising both topics with a professional is important, since treating one without the other often leads to relapse.

Denver Eating Disorder Residential Treatment

Residential treatment is one of the most intensive forms of care for eating disorders. It involves living at a treatment facility full-time, with around-the-clock support from a multidisciplinary team that typically includes physicians, dietitians, therapists, and psychiatric staff. For people whose eating disorder has become medically or psychologically dangerous, this level of care can be lifesaving.

How Can Denver Eating Disorder Residential Treatment Help?

Residential treatment helps by removing daily triggers, stabilizing physical health, and creating space to address the underlying causes of the eating disorder. For people who also struggle with substance use, an integrated program that treats both conditions can be especially valuable. Without integrated care, recovery from one condition often unravels when the other is left unaddressed.

If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, consider getting help. It could make a big difference in your life.

What is Residential Treatment?

Residential treatment is a step above outpatient care. Clients live on site, follow a structured daily schedule, and receive concentrated therapeutic and medical support. This setting allows providers to monitor health closely while clients build the skills and stability needed to step down to less intensive levels of care over time.

Denver eating disorder residential treatment is a good option for people who need this kind of help.

Benefits of Denver Eating Disorder Residential Treatment Centers

Residential treatment offers several advantages that lower levels of care cannot replicate. These include:

Structure

A predictable daily routine helps regulate eating patterns, sleep, and emotional ups and downs. Structure also reduces the mental energy needed to make decisions during the early stages of recovery, when willpower alone is rarely enough.

Necessary Support

Clients have round-the-clock access to clinical and peer support. This is especially important during difficult moments, when professional help can interrupt patterns that might otherwise escalate.

Access to Medical Care

Eating disorders often cause serious medical complications. Residential settings provide immediate access to medical professionals who can monitor and respond to physical health concerns as they arise. This can include help with nutrition, therapy, and medication. This can help them recover faster and stay healthy.

Safe Environment for Healing

Removing daily stressors and triggers creates space for deeper therapeutic work. Many people are unable to make real progress until they step away from the environments where their disorder developed.

Therapies Used in Denver Eating Disorder Residential Treatment Centers

Effective eating disorder treatment combines multiple therapeutic approaches. Common components include:

Therapy

Individual, group, and family therapy address the psychological roots of the eating disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-focused approaches are commonly used. These approaches can be used in individual, group, and family therapy.

Therapy can help people understand their thoughts and feelings about food. It can also help them learn new ways to cope with stress and emotions.

Nutrition Counseling

Registered dietitians help clients rebuild a healthy relationship with food. This work goes beyond meal planning to address the beliefs and emotions that surround eating.

Medical Care

Physicians and nurses monitor vital signs, lab work, and any medical complications. Medication management for co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety is often part of this care.

Support Groups

Peer support reduces isolation and reminds clients that recovery is possible. Groups also offer accountability and a sense of community that can carry into post-treatment life.
In residential treatment, people can join support groups. These are groups of people who have similar problems. They can share their experiences and learn from each other.

Holistic Therapies

Denver eating disorder residential treatment may offer holistic therapies. Yoga, mindfulness, art therapy, and movement-based practices help reconnect clients with their bodies in healthy ways. These approaches complement, rather than replace, clinical treatment.

Residential treatment for eating disorders can be very helpful. It can give people the support and tools they need to get better.

If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, consider Denver eating disorder residential treatment. It could be the help you need to start your recovery journey.

How Mile High Recovery Center Fits Into the Bigger Picture

Mile High Recovery Center does not provide residential eating disorder treatment. We specialize in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions for adults in Colorado. For many of our clients, disordered eating patterns or a past eating disorder are part of their story. When that is the case, we coordinate with specialized eating disorder providers to make sure both conditions receive appropriate care.

If substance use is a significant part of what you are facing, our programs can help address that piece of the puzzle. Some people may find that getting stable in their recovery from drugs or alcohol creates the foundation needed to engage more fully in eating disorder care with the right specialists.

Where is Mile High Recovery Center Located?

Mile High Recovery Center is located in Denver, Colorado. Our facility sits in a community that supports recovery, with access to nature, peer connection, and the resources of a major metropolitan area. We serve adults from across Colorado and from out of state who are seeking comprehensive addiction treatment.

Addiction Treatment Levels of Care at Mile High Recovery Center

For people whose substance use co-occurs with disordered eating or other mental health conditions, the right level of care depends on individual needs. Mile High Recovery Center offers:

Inpatient Addiction Rehab: The most intensive level of substance use care, with round-the-clock clinical support.
Residential Treatment Program: Live-in care focused on substance use recovery and co-occurring mental health support.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Daytime clinical programming with evenings spent in supportive housing or at home.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): With IOP, you get structured therapy several days per week while clients continue to live at home.
Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Care: Integrated treatment for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): This includes using medicines like Suboxone and Vivitrol to help with cravings. MAT is utilized in conjunction with therapeutic treatment modalities.
Sober Living or Recovery Housing: Mile High Recovery Center started as a sober living facility. We understand the value of a safe and supportive living environment.

Therapies Used in Our Addiction Recovery Programs

Our clinical approach combines evidence-based therapies with community support and long-term planning. Common elements include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps clients identify and change the thought patterns that drive substance use and other unhelpful behaviors. It is one of the most well-researched approaches for both addiction and co-occurring conditions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. It is particularly helpful for people whose addiction is tied to intense emotions or trauma history.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain process and integrate difficult memories. Since trauma is a frequent driver of both substance use and disordered eating, EMDR is often a meaningful part of treatment.

Community-Based Therapy and 12-Step Support

Connection with peers in recovery is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. We help clients build relationships within recovery communities that can support them well beyond treatment.

Alumni Program

Our alumni program keeps clients connected to the center and to each other after they complete treatment. Ongoing community is often what makes long-term recovery sustainable.

Additional Community-Based and Recreational Activities

Outdoor activities, group outings, and recreational programming help clients rebuild a life worth being sober for. These experiences also support physical and mental wellness alongside clinical care.

Personalized Approach and Long-Term Support

Every client at Mile High Recovery Center receives a treatment plan built around their specific history, needs, and goals. Our team works with clients to plan for life after treatment, including referrals to specialized providers when conditions like eating disorders require care outside our scope. This can help people succeed in their recovery. Our drug rehab in Denver, Colorado, can help you get back control of your life from addiction.

Resources

Reach Out Today to See How Mile High Recovery Center Can Help You Heal

If you or a loved one are ready to regain autonomy over your lives and well-being, recovery starts here. Let us guide you toward sustainable wellness and sobriety through our personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs and experiences. We look forward to hearing from you!