Not a Food-a-holic anymore....now an alcoholic!

jojo39
on 9/19/11 2:56 pm - NY

I have transferred my addiction.....even though food is still an issue, alcohol (which wasnt an issue before surgery) is now my new addiction. I have gained 40 pounds back over the last year and desperately need help!! What do I do???

poet_kelly
on 9/19/11 2:58 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

Are you in therapy? Do you go to AA?

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

AnneGG
on 9/19/11 3:13 pm

RNY on 07/15/10

Ah, love, I am glad you are reaching out! Unfortunately transfer addictions happen- you take away one source of unworkable comfort, and another often slips into its place.

Please seek treatment and therapy, and look for an eating disorder or addiction specialist. You can ask your PCP for a recommendation.

Oh, my heart goes out to you! You must be in such pain! But there is help available- please give yourself the gift of seeking it out.

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach

"Support fosters your growth. If you are getting enough of the right support, you will experience a major transformation in yourself. You will discover a sense of empowerment and peace you have never before experienced. You will come to believe you can overcome your challenges and find some joy in this world." Katie Jay

SweetLilyAnn
on 9/19/11 4:05 pm - TX

RNY on 06/21/11

I am so so so sorry about this. Has your drinking impacted your life other than the 40lbs or the lives of your family? You gave yourself such an amazing gift with the surgery...please continue to be good to you and take care of you by seeking out help for this issue. Professional help is necessary at this point. There is help out there so please take advantage of it and check in with us. We are here for you too.

HW: 328   GW: 164 CW: 159 Height - 5' 8"
GOAL REACHED 12/15/2012!!!!!!!!!
RNY Surgery Date: 6/21/11
LBL/BL - 11/6/2012 Arm Lift with Abdominal Lipo - 12/11/2012 - Dr. Paul PIn
Love me without restriction, trust me without fear, want me without demand and accept me for who I am.        - unknown -

Ladytazz
on 9/19/11 4:08 pm

Go to AA. You should be able to find a local meeting list online. They can assist you in getting through the rough times as you let go of alcohol. If you can't do it by yourself see about a rehab.
God bless you. You have taken the first step and that is the hardest. I'll be praying for you.

WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010

High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.

Susan_U
on 9/19/11 4:47 pm - Ontario, CA

RNY on 09/23/11

I agree that you should join AA, and therapy would be a big help too.

You should also consider developing outside interests that will take you out of your addiction cycle. Take something that interests you and make it a hobby that you can enjoy & which will focus your attention in a positive way.

Mrs-Quiggle
on 9/19/11 6:06 pm - United Kingdom

I can't really add to the above suggestions as they are all excellent but I wanted you to know that you can get through this. God never puts us in a situation that he wont help us with if we ask him to. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mrs Quiggle x

seattledeb
on 9/19/11 7:50 pm

RNY on 12/22/08

I went back and read your latest posts. For a couple of months you've had some drive by posts saying you are having trouble with alcohol and weight gain. What's it gonna take for you to get some help? This is serious stuff..you need to get some help..now.
Deb T.

TrueNorthFriend
on 9/19/11 8:29 pm - Canada

You are WORTH it. Invest in yourself! AA, therapy, reaching out here... whatever it takes. This is a disease process. Like cancer. Diabetes. Like any disease. You would invest in yourself and go for treatment with those diseases, right? Do the same for this one.

Dave Chambers
on 9/19/11 10:54 pm - Mira Loma, CA

RNY on 05/10/06

Transfer addictions to alcohol are not uncommon. Once food issues have been "taken care of " through wt loss surgery, people replace the overeating habit with other issues. Many times these issues are based on some trauma during your lifetime, that can be either recent or many years ago. Child abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, abusive chldhood experiences, rape, etc. can be trigger mechanisms that caused overeating before wt loss surgery, that now manifest themselves in other habits. I'd seriously consider some mental counseling. It's possible to overcome your issue, but it's going to take some additional behavioral modifications to get there. Therapy can likely get to the root cause of your issues, and unless you can deal with these root issues, you may face additional challenges in coming years. Many people in my support groups have sought counseling. A few have been alcohol related, some were self image related, marriage counseling, etc. So it's not uncommon to seek this type of help. I've been through counseling years ago, and I seriously doubt that I'd have done as well with my post op life without the knowledge attained through counseling. DAVE

Dave Chambers, 6'3" tall, 365 before RNY, 185 low, 200 currently. My profile page: product reviews, tips for your journey, hi protein snacks, hi potency delicious green tea, and personal web site.