Question about addictions

I am curious has anyone done studies about how many people after WLS end up 't substituting their addiction of food after surgery for alcohol. I havent talked to many people about this, but lets just say, since my surgery my life has gone way downhill, even though now I am thin. My boyfriend left me, my kids hate me, I have had problems with the law because of being drunk in public, DUI, domestic assualt, and now my career is being effected. Anyone else experience this. I am also very depressed.

I think is a normal, and unexplored side effect, of this surgery. We use food to cope and soothe. Take away the food and we look for something else because we have no life skills. Even if you aren't an alcoholic, AA can really help. They are teaching me how to live. I am far from perfect, but I could imagine going it on my own and really going off the deep end. I thought I was sweet and caring. Now I get frustrated and tend to reach a point where I start yelling. Makes me feel like crap. My initial impulse is to block it out somehow. But I won't. I am determined. Nobody told us losing weight was the easy part. Vicki

I am coming there 9/24- 10/2 and staying with another wlser in Silver Spring. She is not an addict as far as I know. I have a rental car. We can get together if you want. I've been there, done that. Had a relapse after 10+ years, four drinks, DUI. Vicki

I am sure that by now there have been studies done on this problem. Finding the research would be the challenge. I just had my surgery, and I am active in AA to prevent me from relapsing after five years of sobriety. Now, if I drink, I run the risk of losing my social work license, which I worked very hard to earn. If I lose that, I lose my new career. So, my potential loss would be just too big to take. I am going to encourage you to try AA. If you find you don't like it after a few meetings, that would not be the end of the world. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking. Hugs, Trish

I Googled "weight loss surgery addictions" and found the following hits. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06199/706662-114.stm http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/7/24/134539.shtml http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/jul/25/addiction_transfer_seen_after_weightloss_surger y/?neapolitan http://calorielab.com/news/2006/07/18/bariatric-surgery-trades-obesity-for-alcoholism/ http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com/obesityResearch/precautionsWithAlcohol.html Hope these help you learn that you are not alone. From reading these articles there are many people who transferred addictions and developed alcoholism and/or other addictions as a result of giving up the food. Hugs, Trish

I posted a link around the first of August I think to an article - if you want to scroll back thru this board and see. I under5stand it's pretty common according to my therapist. Hang in there - I'm feeling some legal reprucussions also as of late, and I know how that feels! Don't give up on giving up! I spoke to my doctor about my stressors, and my alcohol consumption. He put me on anti depressants and anti anxiety meds. I've been seeing a therapist. There are many roads to repairing the situation, but the primary one as you know is to NOT drink. Many of us here know how difficult that can be. Don't give up! Hugs, m

I often wonder about existing and new studies, too. One day I would like to research it myself....I was told ahead of time, of course, that this can be a problem, but I didn't drink before wls, I never dreamt I would go down that path. i didnt realize how much I turned to food for stress relief....I thought I just liked food!!!! It is obvious now that I don't handle stress well and reach for an easy "stress reliever" and since I still can't eat hardly anything, I found something else. But I have to be done. HAVE TO BE. Good luck to you, youre not alone, Lori

I am sure that there havent been many studies on this-but considering there seems to be a trend with depression and lives changing so much after surgery-I can believe it. Ya know whats sad? I almost wish I COULD drink-it makes me SOO tired and sleepy I cant stand it! I used to drink some-but now---hardly ever! LIke once every 6 months ! the only way I have figured out is to drink it with Red bulll or an energy drink-I mix it with schnapps or something-then I can get a good buzz and be bouncing around with energy! lol Good luck with everything-hopefully you can find the light at the end of your tunnel Judi D.