15663. ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. This paper presents an overview and analysis of the connection between substance abuse and one particular eating disorder - anorexia nervosa. Following an overview of the clinical syndrome of anorexia nervosa, the investigation reviews the literature examining the link between anorexia nervosa and substance abuse. Considers how anorexia differs from bulimia in its relation to substance abuse, differences in substance abuse prevalence by anorexia sub-type, whether substance abuse and anorexia arise simultaneously or whether one disorder precedes the other, and theories providing possible explanations for the link between these disorders. KEYWORDS: eating disorders anorexia anorexic bulimia substance abuse drug abuse comorbid disorders. APA Style. 14 pages, 44 footnotes, 20 bibliographic sources. 3,711 words.