Exploring Alcohol-Related Behaviours in an Adult Sample with Anorexia Nervosa and Those in Recovery.

While individuals with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) often present with a higher rate of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) than the general population, it is unclear whether this extends to AN. This cross-sectional study examined differences in alcohol-related behaviours, measured using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), between AN participants (n = 58), recovered AN (rec-AN) participants (n = 25), and healthy controls (n = 57). Statistical models controlled for age and ethnicity. The relationship between alcohol-related behaviours with ED psychopathology and with depression was also assessed. The findings indicated that acute AN participants were not at greater risk of AUD than healthy controls. However, rec-AN participants displayed greater total audit scores than those with acute AN, and more alcohol-related behaviours than healthy controls. Acute AN participants consumed significantly less alcohol than both the healthy control group and rec-AN group. No associations were found between ED psychopathology and alcohol-related behaviours in the AN group or rec-AN. This highlights alcohol as a potential coping mechanism following AN recovery. Clinicians should consider assessments for AUD and targeted interventions aimed at encouraging healthy coping mechanisms in this group. Future studies should look at alcohol use as a moderating factor for AN recovery.

Co-producing an inclusive-care model for young people transitioning from adolescent eating disorder services to adult care: A qualitative study protocol for Transition for Eating Disorder Youth intervention.

Eating disorders (EDs) present a chronic issue to child paediatric mental health services due to their high mortality and relapse rates. The transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult Mental Health Services is a particularly high-risk period for young people with EDs given their high vulnerability to change, which can negatively impact treatment outcomes. However, there is lack of evidence on the feasibility of inclusive and youth-specific interventions that address the multiple and complex needs of this group during their transition to adult care. This proposed study aims to develop a newly introduced model of care called Transition for Eating Disorder Youth intervention (TEDYi) for young people aged 16-18 years with EDs transitioning from adolescent ED services to adult care. TEDYi will be co-produced with young people, carers, and staff targeting interpersonal and psychosocial needs during the transition process. The first phase of the study involves interviews with young people (N = 15) and carers (N = 15) as well as focus groups with mental health professionals (N = 15) across four ED adolescent and adult specialist services to explore their transition experiences. The second phase, consists of four Experience-Based Co-Design workshops, aimed at collaboratively developing and refining TEDYi.