Out of closet, drinking problem :(

I hate to post this........But, maybe it will help me, or someone.

Before surgery, I would have a holiday drink or two. Maybe a Margarita with Mexican food. But . never "drank" It was rare, very rare.

Now for months I have been drinking to extreme. Why? How did this happen... I dont understand. Im a mess. My family is growing sick of it. So am I. I understand their frustration. Im frustrated with me.

When I drink I am not me. Oh, I have fun...so I think. But, I also at times can become confrontational. :( I'm married and have never been nasty, or cheated. I wouldn't. But I can be a bit**.

What the heck is happening to me? Why am I doing this? Does someone understand? I have read others have developed a drinking problem after surgery. I didn't think I would. Cause I never had a problem.

I would like to understand what is going on.

The other night I think I was close to death. My heart was going so fast and I was shaking so bad I could hardly walk, sweating everywhere, bad! . It scared me.

anyway... help understanding, please. Thanks.

 You know the answer:  stop drinking.  Once your body chemistry has changed the way yours apparently has, you will never be able to drink safely again.  Get to AA to find support and like-minded people.   Even if you don't think you need it, it is incredibly comforting to talk with others who have been where you've been.   This is not a morality issue; it is a body chemistry issue.  

I understand I must stop drinking. I just want to know how this happens to so many post surgery people. There must be a reason... what? Maybe if I had better understanding as to why, I could figure out how to help deal with it.

Thanks for your post... I must  stop.... but why did I start?

MOST of us know it as "Transfer Addiction" whether or not people believe in it MANY overweight people were addicted to and as such abused food.  It was our DRUG of choice.  So after WLS what is a person to do IF they don't realize they are using and abusing food.  The pick up OTHER addictions like alcohol, drugs, sex or even shopping.

You are using alcohol because you can't use food.

Let's talk about WHY you are drinking on any given day.  Is it to unwind, relax?  Would you have normally grabed a piece of cake or other "soothing" option when you got home?

Did you pick up a drink because you were STRESSED out and wanted to scream?  Would you have normally medicated your stress away with food?

Get where I'm going?

Ms Shell

To be honest, I don't remember why I started... Thanks for the reply though :) Maybe transfer... I think its cause we're different now.

I didn't check to see what surgery you had, but if it was RNY you feel the alcohol SOOO much faster because it goes directly to the liver.  It metabolizes quickly, too, so you drink more and more  before you know it.

My best friend is an RNY and she became a screaming, mean, maniac with post-op alchoholism. 

DO NOT LET THIS SLIDE.  GO TO AA RIGHT AWAY.

Best wishes,

It is RNY.

Gosh, so sorry for your friend. I hope she gets better soon. :(

She doesn't have the 'flu--she's a drunk who's fighting to get sober. 

You need to remember that this same description is for you.

AS AN RNY YOU CANNOT DRINK WITHOUT GETTING DRUNK.

Go to AA and get help.

The "why did you start?" could be a combination of various things.

My theory for those who were non-drinkers BEFORE surgery -- is that when you've had surgery and  coping with food is no longer an option -- liquids CAN be.  (Thousands of us get hooked to caffeine instead of eating.  Caffeine is a drug that pleases the brain.)

Alcohol after gastric bypass pleases the brain (albeit VERY temporarily....) without eating.

You may simply connect that feeling of tempoary pleasure to the place where food used to be. 

That first craving for a little wine -- turns into wine with dinner every night -- into a bottle every day.

And since we get intoxicated fast/hard -- drinking may occur more frequently too excess to maintain that pleasure. 

Does that make sense? 

The answer lies in finding WHY we need to fill that place.... what else is missing?

I believe we all have something.  ALL OF US.  I am addicted to caffeine, quite often sugar/carbs, I overeat, and the internet gives me too much instant brain stimulation.  ALL BAD FOR ME.

It's easy to say stop drinking; saying it and DOING it are two different things.  No I haven't experienced this personally but I do come from a long-line of family with alcohol addiction and was married to an alcoholic.....it.isn't.easy and MOST times it's takes a strong desire and HELP to overcome addictions.