by Jill Temkin, MA
At 28, I went into recovery for alcoholism. I remember saying to a friend, "Finally, I'm going to get my life under control." And I did, for a while. But I soon discovered that my tendency to "over-consume" didn't fade softly into the night just because I put down the alcohol. The part of me that sought pleasure and comfort through substances was still very much alive and well, and running the show. I simply transferred my addiction from alcohol to over-spending, and later to over-eating, until I got the help I needed.
To successfully cope with the complexities of addiction, I had to develop the tools to understand how to meet my needs in a genuine and sustainable way, instead of the immediate that-will-do-for-now way that comes with acting on our addictions. Addiction is like a whack-a-mole game: just as you clobber one, another one pops-up!
While weight loss surgery (WLS) alters your body and digestive tract's response to food, it doesn't change how your mind responds to food. When addiction is involved, there is a strong biological and psychological component to eating that needs addressing to gain optimal WLS effectiveness. If you have trouble sticking to your post WLS diet or with a transfer addiction (such as shopping, alcohol, smoking, etc.), it isn't because you're "weak" or that you "can't do it," it's just that you need to work on changing the way you think about food (or shopping, etc.). Recognizing the need you're really trying to meet when reaching for food when you're not hungry, or a new outfit when you can't afford it, is the key to stopping any addictive habit in its tracks.
It's also important to change how you think about yourself. The most effective thing you can do to support your weight loss goals after surgery is develop compassion toward yourself as you go through the weight loss process. Bullying yourself will only serve to increase the challenges you face throughout your weight loss journey.
Addiction Is Not Your Fault
Addiction is just a system of urges and thoughts you can manage with creativity instead of shame, if you understand how to channel it. If you're used to eating food that is high in sugar, fat, and salt prior to WLS, then you're used to consuming foods that are highly addictive. These foods trigger the release of endorphins that activate pleasure centers throughout your body. So it's quite natural, given how good endorphins make us feel, to want more of them! That is the biological component of addiction.
It's quite likely that at some point after the surgery, your body will begin to crave the foods your mind knows you are not supposed to eat anymore. Don't panic or get mad at yourself for having these cravings. Your body is simply seeking the release of endorphins again. It's reminding you that it wants to feel pleasure, and it defaults to what it knows delivered that pleasure in the past.
Addictions are some of the most difficult psychological challenges to overcome because of the way they are rooted in your brain's chemistry. Your brain can fixate on the pleasure that eating certain foods will generate. The good news is there are many other ways to trigger the release of endorphins. Particularly once you've had the weight loss surgery and have access to improved physical health and increased mobility.
The Six Steps to Success When Coping With Addiction
If you struggle with addiction, to truly get the sustainable results you want and deserve from WLS, you need to do the following six things:
Attend your doctor's support groups to get the medical and nutritional help you need. Participate in self-help support groups designed to assist your recovery from addiction, such as 12-step programs or substance abuse treatment programs. Get counseling from an expert that understands the mental, behavioral, and emotional transformations that need to take place after WLS. Learn how to identify the needs you attempted to meet through addiction, and develop alternative strategies to meet those needs. Discover and routinely practice the things most pleasurable and meaningful to you that support your long-term health and weight loss goals. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy and routinely do it. (Exercise is the most natural way to experience the release of endorphins.)
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." — Albert Einstein
Addictions don't have to be a life sentence. In fact, you can use the same laser sharp, single-minded focus that you once used to find ice-cream in the middle of the night, to get what you genuinely want instead: weight loss, health, and the freedom to enjoy your new life. You can learn how to redirect the same thought process that drives addiction to achieve positive results. You just need to follow the six steps outlined in this article.
"Face Your Stuff, or Stuff Your Face" — Anonymous
Remember, addiction is simply an indication that your brain's chemistry works in a way that can derail or divert your attention from what you truly want and need. It is at its most powerful when you allow it to isolate you from others. Addiction thrives on being alone with you, whispering in your ear and blocking everything and everyone else out. If you seek out the help you need to transform your addiction into something that serves you, instead of something that demands you serve it, you will be free to experience the real pleasure that's out there waiting for you.
With the proper support, you can overcome any obstacles and accomplish anything you put your mind to. You already have the laser sharp focus; you just need to change the lens. Get the support you need to shine by turning difficulty into an opportunity, just like Einstein said.
If you would like to develop a strong aftercare support system like the six-step process outlined in this article, visit www.livingthinwithin.net to get more information about programs that are designed to help you cope with addiction after weight loss surgery. You can also take our free self-assessment to determine exactly what your individual aftercare needs are.
About the Author: Jill Temkin, MA, has a Master's Degree in Psychology, is a Registered Addiction Specialist, and a Nationally Certified Psychodrama trainer, educator, and therapist who has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment and mental health for nearly 30 years. Jill founded Living Thin Within in response to her own journey for support after WLS. Jill is an expert at combining her knowledge of non-violent communication with experiential therapy techniques to provide innovative counseling and training programs for clients and therapists alike. Her mission is to help women thrive in their new bodies and radiate health from within. Contact [email protected]
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