The Meadows Ranch understands the pain that an eating disorder can bring to not only the one suffering but also their loved ones. Our experienced staff is here to help you or your loved one along the road to recovery. As you explore our treatment options, you may have questions. We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common queries below, so you can find them all in one place.
An eating disorder is any pattern of eating that leads to disruption in someone’s behaviors, thinking, and mood state that could lead to disruptions in his or her ability to function in any number of areas — including interpersonal relationships, social situations, school, and work — and, eventually, disruptions in health. Someone who suffers from this type of disorder will continue such behaviors, despite evidence that it is not in that person’s best interest. Such driven behaviors may be caused by any number of factors and serve any number of purposes, but they are harmful and can result in significant functional impairment — even leading to death in some extreme cases.
Warning signs of an eating disorder can include alterations in weight, preoccupation with body image, disruptions in eating patterns, preoccupation with the nutritional content of foods, changes in exercise patterns, use of laxatives, diuretics and diet pills, mood fluctuations, and physical symptoms such as fainting spells from malnutrition and dehydration.
We offer inpatient, residential, and partial-hospitalization levels of care for women and girls struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, obesity, compulsive overeating, and related issues. (All levels of care include on-site housing.) Patients are separated by age, with those 17 and under in our adolescent program and women 18 and older in our adult program. We can accept patients as young as 7. Our expert treatment team is equipped to handle patients who are as low as 70% of their ideal bodyweight and can even accept acute cases where feeding tubes are necessary. We can also accommodate diabetics, a variety of food allergies, and vegetarian patients.
We are not currently able to accommodate vegan patients. Those who are aggressive, with a history of violence, or dealing with psychosis are also not a fit for The Meadows Ranch. Because we ar a very open campus, The Meadows Ranch is not recommended for those with a history of running. For potential patients who are lower than 70% of their ideal body weight, we have some great partners in the field that we will refer out to, then patients return to us when they are ready and able to engage in active treatment.
When you undergo treatment, it’s important to stay for the duration of the treatment program. Detox may be included if you are addicted to substances or if you display compulsive behaviors. A typical treatment program lasts anywhere from 45 to 60 days, but each individual is different.
Inpatient treatment provides care 24 hours a day. Sometimes, it is better to be taken out of your home environment to focus fully on recovery for a period of time. After an extensive evaluation, a group of therapists, counselors, and psychologists devise a personalized treatment plan. At The Meadows Ranch, that plan is based on the patient’s diagnosis, interests, and personality, and usually consists of group and one-on-one therapy, educational sessions, along with holistic offerings like expressive arts, recreation, and equine therapy.
If you aren’t showing progress in an outpatient program, or if it becomes unsafe for you to remain in an outpatient program, you should be admitted to an inpatient facility.
Family involvement is crucial during the recovery process. Most treatment facilities have a set period for the family to visit and participate in workshops or lectures. Addiction often stems from issues within the family, so it’s essential to understand family dynamics and provide a space for the family to communicate and heal. Not only does this help the healing process for the patient, but it helps the entire family, too.
Most eating disorders, no matter what type, have no definitive “cure,” only ongoing recovery. At The Meadows Ranch, we base our success rate on three factors: the number of alumni who recommend our program to friends and relatives, the number of referrals we get from other treatment facilities, and the number of patients referred to us by therapists and other medical practitioners. We are trusted by those in the industry, and we do everything we can to ensure the ongoing success of our patients.
The Meadows Ranch combines evidence-based theories of teaching coping and containment skills to do the more in-depth work to get at the source of the eating disorder so that a person can make a long-lasting, recovery-based change.
Eating disorders often occur in tandem with other mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. An eating disorder may be brought on or exacerbated by trauma, or it may cause depression. Substances like drugs or alcohol may play a role in an eating disorder, or they may be used to numb pain or sadness caused by the disorder. Co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis treatment addresses any combination of more than one mental health disorder and/or addiction. If you only treat the eating disorder and leave co-occurring mental health problems to continue unchecked, long-term recovery is put at risk.
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible. It’s happening every day at The Meadows Ranch. Based on feedback from patients, families, and professionals, the vast majority of our patients remain committed to a life of health, balance, and purpose.
For additional information about the treatment of eating disorders, please give us a call to speak to one of our knowledgeable intake specialists.
Call 866-390-5100