Sabotage?

Let's face it ... we can never sabotage ourselves with food in quite the same way ever again.

Anyone else found a substitute?

I can't hardly believe this. I have EVERY reason not to (3 kids, great marriage, HepC), but lately (2 weeks), I find myself drinking. Vodka.

100% the truth, I maybe drank once a year before and that's being generous cause I can't remember exactly.

Now, I'm thinking it's because it's a new way to sabotage myself/health.

What the hell?

I really hope NOT, but if there is someone else out there that's had a similar experience, I'd (need) love to hear from you.

Nonnie, That is the first I've heard of it and I can't offer much comfort.  If there is anything I can do, let me know.  Telling us all about it was probably a very good thing.

I have actually heard of WLS patients substituting the food addiction with another addiction.  I think Oprah even did a show about it. 
Here's an article:  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06199/706662-114.stm

Ummm, let's talk - addiction.

I work in mental health (that doesn't mean I'm perfectly mentally healthy).

You seem to have traded off one addiction for another.  Vodka.  I know, I've tried (pre-surgery) to trade mine for wine, or vodka (vanilla vodka with orange soda), or chocolate, or wine (cabernet sauvinon, have I said that already?), or sex (yeah, sex, don't hate)....whatever.  I've tried to trade the food addiction for the weight addiction.

we addictive people do try to trade off.  So I'm hoping to trade of for an exercise addiction.  I got a pentameter (sp?), and I've decided to do 5,000 steps a day, and then 6,000, and then 10,000.  Steps.  A day.  Even if I had wine - or VODKA - the day before (try 10,000 steps hung over). 

It's addiction.  Addict to the good stuff.  I'm talking to myself.

Kristen

 There is such a thing as addiction transfer.  Please be careful and nip it in the bud right away.

I defianitely know about addiction and addiction transfer.  I always had the food thing but it was eclipsed in its harm doing by my drinking and drug taking. Nearly 20 years ago I got clean and sober, and the food thing stepped up a notch (or 4).  Sex was also a problem for me. Now here I am dealing with the last shreds of my addiction by having most of my stomach removed so that I am unable to overeat.  I believe that addiction is in the person not the substance, and for me, I am powerless over that addiction - in any form.  My way of dealing with this is by working the 12 Step Programme. I know this is not for everybody, but its how I've managed to get my life back. Its a serious problem, and needs a to be addressed.

And it is really fantastic that you have posted this.  All the very best.

Please be careful. Vodka cannot be good for your new tummy.  A friend of a friend recently passed away because alcohol gave her bleeding ulcers in her bypassed pouch.  Maybe this info will help you to find a better substitute, like shopping for cute clothes !!  THAT is my plan.  My husband groans at the thought ... lol

Yes, these Surgeries can lead to transfer addictions because lets face it.. most of us have addictive personalities! I know I went through a horrible spiral of addictions QUICK after my surgery! First it was Sex, then came the shopping (3g in one week come on, that was getting toooo bad and it could have gotten so much worse!) then the Sex started getting worse (well not worse but the addiction, ha ... lol sorry had to make a funny here!) and then the drinking AND SEX... I had to seek professional help. I really hope you can manange yours alot better than me. Good luck hun, trust me it isnt easy! Keep in touch and let me know how your doing with it!

I agree with the PPs that you are, most likely, an addictive personality (aren't we ALL?) and the trick is getting addicted to something healthy/productive.  I've transferred my food addiction to exercise, and believe it or not, you can go a little too far with that as well.  I was exercising 7 days a week (probably for the endorphins) but once I hit goal and kept going down, down, down, I cut back to 3-4 days per week.  So far, so good.  I own like 60+ pairs of shoes and 20 pairs of jeans, so now it's shopping, obviously.  I know this will be a struggle for me and am hoping to keep it under control.  Good luck to you!

I think it is really brave for you to put this out there.  I think there is alot to be said for switching addictions.  I traded smoking for eating.  I gained 60 lbs in the 2 months after quitting!  And I have struggled with drinking too much at times.  I dont have any advice, but I love the idea of looking for a "healthy" addiction like exercise :)  I am going to try that myself