Alcohol and Food Abuse: Some Comparisons

Summary The literature concerning alcohol and food abuse is reviewed. Previous researchers in their respective fields of alcoholism, anorexia nervosa and hyperphagia/obesity have often remarked on cross‐abuse commonalities. Such supposed commonalities are examined. Sociocultural and familial influences, personality, intemality vs externality, and the concepts of craving, abstinence and relapse are discussed. The Abstinence Violation Effect and catastrophe theory are outlined as models with comment on their applicability. Conclusions and suggestions for subsequent research are proposed.