Alsana Experts Warn Using Ozempic for Weight Loss May Lead to Eating Disorders

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is February 27 – March 5

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ozempic’s use for weight loss has experts from Alsana, a national eating disorder recovery community, warning that it could lead to eating disorders in those who are vulnerable or by those with an eating disorder to control their eating. This National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, February 25 – March 5, Alsana is educating the public about the risks of taking this medication other than directed or without a doctor’s supervision, to treat type 2 diabetes.

One of the side effects of the medication is weight loss because it helps suppress an individual’s appetite. Once they stop taking the medication, their appetite returns, which can lead to gaining back the weight that was lost.

“Our culture is very focused on body image – being thin is considered to be ideal,” said Dr. Nicole Garber, chief clinical officer with Alsana. “Eating disorders can affect anyone – that’s why practicing body positivity or neutrality and appreciating and accepting our bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, or physical abilities, is key to recovery. We need to recognize that a very small part of our self-image should come from body image – instead, we should focus on our values and relationships.”

28.8 million Americans will develop an eating disorder within their lifetimes. Eating disorders are as unique and layered as the people who have them. Programs like Alsana that treat the whole person, not just the disease, are key to lasting recovery.

Alsana is the first eating disorder recovery community to implement Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) as a therapeutic framework. Developed about 20 years ago, CFT focuses on reducing shame and self-criticism by teaching compassion, leading to positive results.

It also pioneered the Adaptive Care Model, meeting people where they are in their recovery journey. For additional information, visit www.alsana.com.

About Alsana

Alsana is an eating recovery community and treatment provider with in-person Residential and PHP/IOP programs in Alabama (Birmingham and Huntsville), California (Monterey, Santa Barbara, Westlake Village, and Thousand Oaks), and Missouri (St. Louis), and Virtual PHP/IOP offerings across the United States. Its approach to eating disorder treatment is compassionate, evidence-based, and designed in alignment with the Adaptive Care Model®. Alsana serves adult clients of all genders and sexual identities. For additional information, visit www.alsana.com.