Hello

Rhett, Dam! It’s more common than reported…. "Cross-Addiction" is the buzz-word of the whole WLS Community. I had a brief run in headed down that road, But caught it before I had gone 3 months. I went through about a month of "having a little something" In the evenings in order to get to sleep. The glass of wine or two, Grew to be two glasses and a couple of scotches. It suddenly dawned on me one day- "I’ve had ‘a little something’ EVERY day for the past 4 ½ weeks." EVERY DAY……..Hmmmmmm… That coupled with the Talks at my support group From folks who had fallen into full out alcoholism, Combined with the info from my Doc, about how common it was, And my family history of Alcoholism back through 3 generations, Made me come to a screeching halt. Yes, I had been on IV pain-meds for over a month And oral pain-meds the next 2 ½, And I had been in pain after the drugs were gone… And I wasn’t able to fall asleep at night… But all of that was my excuse, not the Reason. If if it was a Real "Reason,"

Not "Reason Enough" to throw out my new life. If I was truly using the alcohol with my last meal To help me get to sleep, Then why the hell not get something that actually Was prescribed for just that!?! Something without all of the other non-beneficial side effects and problems. Went to my doc, got a prescription for Trazadone. The Trazodone worked wonders. "IF" I found that I wasn’t falling to sleep Normally, Then, I have one. (mine are 50mgs) The great thing about it is that it Works Fast, Zero Calories, And it’s cheap as dirt. Cheaper. It’s also Non-Addictive. It’s actually an anti-depressant, But doesn’t reach "therapeutic levels Until around 400mgs or higher. At 50 to 75 mgs it’ll put you right to sleep, like a "knock-out" drug. And not like "getting high" and having a ‘woozy’ time before sleeping. Just "Click!" You’re Out. Probably why it’s a rarely used anti-depressant, Which is probably why It’s cheaper than Dirt! No morning grogginess, Great, Pure Sleep! At 1/25th the price of a Lunesta tablet, You can be off in dreamland. Hard to give in to the urge to drink When you are full out asleep. It’s side effect is that at slightly higher dose, Around 100mgs, it works like Cyalis or Viagra. Morning wood of a 14 year old. Yes, Trazodone, ask for it by name! Now-a-days, I haven’t had one in 2 years, But still have a bottle full In the cabinet. Do I still have some wine or a Beer? Yep! But about once every 3 to 4 weeks or so, Even a Great single Malt Scotch about once a month- Not as just a part of my constant intake. Call your doc as well as your AA sponsor.

One of the reasons that Alcohol addiction/dependence Is so common among WLS Post-Ops Is that "need for sleep aid" thing that used to be met By food. This, according to my Doc. He’s really big on recommending ANYTHING Else to help overcome the insomnia That many Post-Ops are met with Once the comfort foods are gone. That was my experience, and my "Fix." Many guys out here have faced and overcome The same alcoholism, even long-term addition. Some are overcoming it Right Now and fighting daily. So many who have the "Been There, Done That" Tee-Shirt. Hope you find your "Fix" soon. Hang in there. Victory can always be snatched from the jaws of defeat. Hollar out if you need to talk…. We’re here for you! Best Wishes- Dx