What is an Addiction ?

Hello to everyone: 
                            

What is an addiction ?
Topic: Alcohol use.

Taken from the dictionary:
 

Historically, addiction has been defined as physical and/or psychological dependence on psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco, heroin, caffeine and other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain.

Some of us were or are addicts to food, so why start or re-introduce alcohol into our bodies. We have to take a good hard look into the mirror and be honest with ourselves, and say, I had an addiction to food. Why start a new habit or addiction, that at the end of the day may harm us. Isn't that the reason why we seek WLS surgery to get off the addiction hell ride ?  I am not saying that we should never have a drink, but save it for a special occasion, a wedding, birthday, graduation but  not on a regular bases.

I think some of you will agree with me and some may not, but this is only my opinion, I'm sure you know what is said about opinions, everyone has one, just like butts. I'm keeping it PG.

There is an article on alcohol after WLS on the OH home page.

Just a newbie, trying to learn the ropes.
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And whats your opinion of wls patients who quit smoking to get this health saving surgery only to start smoking again once their doctors aren't looking anymore?  They will preach how healthy they have become all while sucking on cancer sticks.  Seems a wee bit hypocritical doesn't it?  They are here, right amongst us, do I judge oh **** yes I judge, I hate smoking with a passion, my mother and grandmother both smoked, my grandmother died a horrible stroke filled death.  For eight years she lingered on, not herself, not the womyn I loved more then anyone else on earth, her memory, her essense, her ability to do the things she loved robbed from her because she chose to ******g smoke her entire life and thought every anti smoking word was just a crock.  I made a vow when I was 5 years old sitting in Friendlys with my mother and grandfather while they both smoked and drank coffee while my grandmother was in the hospital on Christmas eve in Boston because of detached retina's, that I would never ever ever grow up and smoke or drink coffee.  I can guarantee you that this is one promise I made myself that I kept.  I know its not what you asked but it makes me angry when I see people say they started smoking again after X number of months or years after wls.  The drinking thing I don't understand either, but I don't have an addictive personality so accept I cannot relate.  I would never go out of my way to do anything obessisively.  Honestly if I had to go huddle outside in the freezing cold to eat a chocolate bar I would say screw it and never eat it again.  Some addictions kills you, some kill others, some kill all those around you slowly painfully, chose your poison carefully.

And if anyone thinks I am bitter and mad at my grandmother I ******g AM, I loved her with all my heart and I believed her when she told me as a child she would never die.  She did without even knowing who I was anymore.  My mother quit for years at a time and went back many times even after watching my grandmother die this agonizing death.  All I have to say is why the **** is this stuff legal.  And just to ice my miserable cake my son smokes also, although he has the good sense to hide it from me so I don't kill him **** I hate the world!

Addiction is such a painful subject for me- my mother died at 66 from cirrhosis and emphysema, and always said I was the addictive one of her children. Proved her right with my eating and smoking, but so far I have avoided drugs or drinking.I stopped smoking many many years ago, but I will always battle the addiction and compulsion demon.

That is why I am pretty rigid in my maintenance, and keep a structure and a plan going. I know myself too well.

Wow.  Not everyone who drinks alcohol after having WLS is going to become an alcoholic!  It is one thing to make sure people are aware of the phenomenon of transfer addictions, but I think it is pretty presumptuous of you to tell other people to limit their alcohol consumption to special occasions. I am a non-drinker, BTW, so I am not defending my own behavior... Just letting you know how your post is going to sound to many people.

Lora

I agree with you, Lora, about most people not becoming alcoholic after WLS. However, cross addiction is a real concern. Addictions have similar patterns, and it is easy for one to substitute for another without awareness and vigilence.

 As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I am very much aware of the nature of addictions and the dangers of transfer addiction after WLS.  That does not change the fact that the OP makes it sound like anyone who drinks other than at weddings, etc is going to become an alcoholic.

Lora

You're so right. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, in that I am able to drink socially, which is rarely.

I am concerned for those who aren't so lucky, and I suspect that's what the OP was trying to say. I think it helps to be self aware and vigilent.

Hi: I respectful have to disagree with some of the post, I never suggested that anyone would became an alcoholic after WLS. I was just stating the fact, that if we ( I ) as obese  people voluntarily put ourselves through WLS to become healthier, I don't see why we would want to put a substance into our new stomachs that may cause problems.
If anyone feels that it's okay for them to drink, it's fine by me. My intentions were never to embarrass nor criticizes anyone, we are all adults here, trying to do what's best for us and others on OH.
If I've offended anyone with my post, please accept my apologies.
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I was not offended, and I understood the probable intent of your post, but I wanted you to be aware of how it sounded -- like lecturing -- especially when you were telling other people that they should limit their alcohol to special occasions.

Lora

 I think its a very  interesting and relevant topic.   Anyone who has  self medicated with food will be delighted  post op to find they can get almost the same exact relief with alcohol.  

Also  very fast deterioration of their health , cirrhosis of the liver and strongly negative social consequences .  

I never drank at all until after my  WLS .  Now I realize that I like my red wine with dinner a bit too much  for total comfort .  Whereas before I could take it or leave it ...  I actually look forward to the stress relief after a tough day  of  having a glass of wine .  

The GOOD news is that two and change years post op .. IM changing .  I have made my life more pleasant  so the wine just once again is fading into the background as a nasty-tasting unnecessary  thing that just ( mostly )  sits in the cabinet for guests .  THANK GOD .. cuz I was starting to get worried lol  .  

I don't like being dependent on  any emotional fix  except maybe gardening .  I'm REALLY glad enjoying   the feeling of drinking  seems to be over for me and once again  its just seems BORING as it did for all my life before WLS .  

I guess we try new things post op and  eventually they lose their  shine .