Who here has struggled with alcohol post RNY?

I'm 8 months out, lost 130lbs so far.

Before surgery I had higher liver *whatevers* and knew it was due to alcohol use. I could drink 3-4 pitchers of beer in a night and that was my routine.

Since RNY, I've just went downhill on the booze.  I'll start with a 6 pack a night, get a buzz. Then move to wine and get drunk. I feel like **** for it but can't seem to stop cold turkey.  Considering going to treatment or AA but I just see those things and think "well, if they talk about booze all the time, that's all I'm gonna want"..

Any other RNYers have an alcohol problem enhanced by the new confguration of your pipes? 

Transfer addiction.  Look up the forum for that.
Yes - a lot of people have that issue.  Pre-op I did not have any issue with alcohol and if ever I drunk too much I would get so sick, that even the idea of alcohol make me nauseous for 6 months,,, now - not so much.
I had a few months that my drinking got out of control.  Evenually I was able to gave it up. But it was hard. 
Now - I can't have alcohol in the house. I knowo if it is there  - I would drink it.   It  is not easy.  
Give it up. 
For me - I can't have "a little anymore". So I chose not to have any.   

I haven't personally but it is VERY common to have transfer addictions amongst the WLS community (alcohol, sex, drugs, shopping, etc.).

You realize there is a problem, please seek help. 

For me, 1/2 a beer and I feel the effects of alcohol.  Most WLSers have a heightened sense of drunkenness especially early out.

Sound like you may have a problem. I would serious go to AA meeting before I have time to convince myself of reason I shouldn't.

RNYers do see addiction transfers post-op. I have seen people transfer to stealing, sex, infidelity, alcohol, and other destructive behaviors.

I WOULD RUN TO A MEETING EVEN IF I THOUGHT IT WAS A POSSIBILITY. I DO THERAPY NOT BECAUSE I AM BROKEN ,BUT BECAUSE  CHECKING UP ON  YOUR MENTAL STATE SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF LIKE A POST-OP APPOINTMENT IN MY OPINION. THIS JOURNEY BRINGS MULTIPLE EMOTIONS AT ONCE ,AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS IMMUNE.

Antonia is right- no one is immune to addiction. Just a lot of people choose not to turn to whatever they can be addicted to.

We are giving up a big addiction- food, and we turn to another thing that can comfort the loss of said food addiction and in turn we get addicted to said thing we turned to. Yes I say we because this is a journey WE all are taking.

Get into therapy, go to a meeting, get a sponsor.

As another poster said there is a cross/transfer addiction board, there are many people over there who have the cross/transfer addiction problems/issues/conflicts. It is nothing to be ashamed of and KUDOS to you for realizing you have a problem.

Addiction doesn't discriminate. You can choose not to be addicted to one thing, but another might pop up. It's not so much a matter of choice as it is awareness and therapy/help.

Transfer addiction--transferring the "high from eating" whatever you wanted pre op to another thing that makes you feel high again.  This issue is not uncommon with post ops. These transfer addictions can be alcohol, gambling, shopping, infidelity to your spouse, drugs, etc.  Alcohol tends to be one of the most common ones.  I'd definitely get a hold of your surgeon or PCP for their suggestions.  Years ago, there was a drug (think it was called antibuse, or something like that) that would make you ill when you consumed booze.  Alcohol abuse will derail your wt loss and alcohol is also much harder on your internal organs postop.  You need some help from friends, family members, your doctors, counseling, etc. Those who that you think are your friends and encourage you to continue to drink post op should likely be considered differently now.  DUI tickets are also very common with post ops who do drink. You feel ok, even though you know you drank too much.  You may feel like you can drive mentally, but you'll likely fail any field sobriety test if stopped. These tickets are expensive too--court fines, lawyers, insurance increases, car repairs (if involved in an accident), court suits for damages to other's property, and potentially injuring or killing another driver or pedestrian.  Even if you drink at home, you need help.  I hear a couple of people monthly speak about struggles with alcohol. Once you start drinking, it's difficult to stop.  Make the inquiry with your doctors about options to resolve this issue. DAVE

Yes, I have a transfer addiction to alcohol.

That being said, after a treatment program and lots of AA meetings, I'm sober one day at a time since November 17, 2009.

Send me a message if you want to talk privately, but you can look at my posting history to see my story.

It hasn't been an issue for me because I'm not a drinker, but I personally know 3 people who became alcoholics after RNY.

All rely on AA as a key part of their recovery. The people there will "get it" just as we understand the issues of WLS here....it's the way that you need to take care of yourself.

I have to admit, I was in jeopardy of having a transfer addiction. I would eagerly wait till 4 maybe 4.30pm and then have either a glass of red wine or whiskey with flattened diet 7-up in it. One would lead to perhaps 2 or 3 per night. Then "ooopps" I wouldn't eat dinner because how fun is dinner when you can't eat like a normal person?
I recognized this and took care of it on my own. I was definitely on a slippery slope for about 3 months though