Just Checking In

Whew!  It's been a while since I have been on this Board!  Sorry!   I just wanted to report that I am still sober :)!!! and will celebrate my two years of sobriety soon!!! I spoke to a WLS support group at a local hospital that is a Center of Excellence to about 80 people and shared about my cross addiction to alcohol.  I hope I was able to help others by sharing my experience, strength and hope.  A couple of people came up to me after the meeting to confess that they, too, were having issues.  I know of a few others with the same problem, who are also in AA ,who were in the audience who came to hear me speak.  It really is a problem that is hidden by about 10% of those who have WLS.  Anyway, I still attend AA meetings about 3-4 times a week and also am still moderating a support group of WLSers that are 2+ years post op.  We are all struggling to keep the weight off, but are more successful that those who have stopped attending support group meetings.

I hope everyone is getting ready for a nice holiday and that you are all well. 

Big Hugs from Virginia,

Karen

Hiya Karen!

I have alot of family from VA but in the mountains... not sure where Marshall is... my family is from Pulaski, Dublin and surrounding areas. Congratulations!!! that is wonderful news! I can understand the cross addiction. I am having some issues with chemical scents and having cravings for that... i know that is way out there in left field but its an addiction I can't shake and I've noticed that I drink more than before usually once a week. but it is such a different feeling after wls. I drink more. I think its all intermingled. My biggest addiction being food. Its definitely a terrible struggle and always on going. So glad to hear you are doing well and nice to see you again!!!! ((hugs!!))

Elizabeth M

pulaski?? my hubby is from pulaski-but in wisconsin!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Elizabeth!

Marshall is in Fauquier County, or about 50 miles west of Washington D.C. or 50 miles southeast of Winchester.  Pulaski and Dublin are in the far southwestern corner of the state; about six hours from me.  I am in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

I know only too welll how the drinking slowly increases and how the feeling is different than before WLS.  Be careful of the "chatter" that tells you that you are fine, don't have a problem since you never had one before, etc.  My problem finally escalated into drinking every weekend, then every night and then I began blacking out every time I drank and couldn't remember anything I did.  I was scared I would get in the car and drive and not remember doing it.  I was terrified of killing someone else or myself.  It never happened, but having no memory of your evenings (who you talked to, what you said, where you were, etc.) was scary enough for me to know I had to quit.  Passing out began to occur, too.  I stopped eating. I just wanted to drink.  I could see my health going downhill, too.    By day, I am a CPA and I just couldn't risk losing my career, my family or my health.  My brother died from alcoholism at the age of 48 and I was damned if I was going down that same road.  It wasn't until I finally accepted the cold, hard truth that I, too, was alcoholic, that I hit rock bottom enough to muster up the courage and humility to finally drag myself to my first AA meeting and admit defeat.  I was done.  The price was just too high.

I am only sharing my experience with you in hopes that if you, or anyone else, sees themself going down this same path that they remember my post before they continue.  Thanks for sharing that you are uneasy but conscious of the lure of alcohol on us WLSers who never had issues before surgery.  We are not immune.  That is my point.

I wish you the best, too!

Hugs,
Karen

karen-good to see you--i am so proud of you for sharing your story--it is true that so many hide and it needs to be out there....

Hey Karen,

Good to see you .  I truly appreciate your honesty about the alcohol and cross addiction.

Best wishes for continued recovery.

Hugs, Mo

Karen,

I'm glad to see you again and really glad to know you are doing so well.  I think of you at least once a month when I go to get my pain scripts refilled.  I've had many, many conversations with my pain docs about the potential for cross addiction and they take extra care to shift things around and not let me stay on any one thing for too long.  If you hadn't come on here and been so honest about your addiction, I never would have thought to talk to my doctors about the potential of cross addiction.  Thank you so much for sharing yourself.

Hugs,
Connie

Hi Connie,

Good for you!!! I am so glad you are aware that pain meds can be a popular cross addiction for us, too.  I have had quite a few WLSers contact me about their secret addictions to scripts, too.  The bad thing is that they usually begin with legitimate pain issues, just like you.  They don't start out with abuse or recreational use as a motive to take the medications.  The addiction just happens.  BUT, it usually is accompanied with the same OCD emotional issues that we avoided and medicated with food in the past.  The real ONLY way to stop the vicious cycle of cross addiction it to identify the fears that are driving the avoidance and face them.  Sounds easy but obviously isn't since we all gained mega pounds trying to avoid these fears.  For me, I went to therapy and still couldn't figure out why I ate.  It was only through working the Fourth Step of AA that I finally figured out what my issues were and was able to deal with them.  This is the same fourth step in Overeaters Anonymous.  My issues all stemmed from childhood and carried into my marriage and adult lilfe.  I just didn't know it.  I really didn't.   I completed three worksheets with over 100 questions each regarding Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood.  Only then did it all fall into place, after answering them honestly.  I would be willing to share these questionaires with anyone who wants them.  Just email me and I will send them to you. 

Hugs,
Karen

Karen, I would really appreciate receiving the questionaires - can you email to me please at:
[email protected]

Thanks! Maureen

HI Glad to see you posting and glad to see you are 2 yrs sober!!! YEAH!!!thats great, sounds like you are on the right path. I noticed you are in Marshall VA. I have family from floyd county...all my relatives are burried in Marshall cementary...small world! Anyway just wanted to say hello and glad you are doing well...dont be a stranger.