New to this forum and GLAD IT'S HERE!!

Hello everyone, I've been clean and dry going on my 21st year come this January! There is no finer ride than sobriety! I'm PETRIFIED that post-op things will go from bad to worse. NOT with alcohol....because I know one is too many and 1 million would never be enough. I REFUSE to put myself back in the bottom of a bottle again. My fear is either gambling or retail therapy. I realized I've been depressed for the past 5 months to the tune of about a grands worth. I am a born addict and it won't take much to turn anything into an addiction...ONE thing I've done is started watching a soap again. I quit drinking 21 yrs. ago and upped my smoking....I quit smoking 20 yrs ago and started overeating. Once the ability to overeat is taken away, I'm going to feel the need to replace it with something. I'll be working with a counsellor starting Wednesday to learn more about my transfer addiction, and what my triggers are...the obvious and the not so obvious ones! I am going to try to become obsessed with weight lifting again, and put more exercise into my life. I'm just paranoid and scared stiff and I'm at least a good 7 plus months pre-op yet!! I'm so glad I'm not alone!! I hope everyone is having a good day today! I look forward to meeting the good folks here and wish all of us wellness and strength!! Marie

It is really helpful to develop coping skills and identify the triggers to the addictive behavior. Some of my coping skills are to deep breath, meditate, pray, journal, talk to someone, knit/crochet, exercise etc. Therapy/counseling, can help you identify your triggers and practice some of the coping skills. Hugs, Trish

I believe many of your coping mechanisms might just become some of mine! Thanks for your help! A few of those are things I hadn't considered!! Marie

Hi, Marie! Welcome to the group. It's a great place, full of knowledge and experience and it is a great help to us. The key is that you are aware of your addictions and that is an amazing thing to have. Unfortunately there are so many lost people out there that don't have a clue, so you are one up on your disease. Hopefully you can trade this addiction in for a healthier one. Congrats on your sobriety and I look forward to your posts in the future. Happy Holidays, Amber

Welcome to the board Marie, Nice to meet you. Wow! 21 years fo soberity! I only have 1.5 years. This is a hard time for me. I'm going to more meetings. They say go to meetings until you like them.....That hasn't kicked in for me. I'm never "Yeah! Time To Go To A Meeting" But I'm working on that. For a while I was addicted to walking. Well, I fell off that wagon. I'm climbing back on that one, but it is a day by day struggle. I hope to encourage the exercise bug. I really need to get the scale going. I've only lost 115# in a year. Good luck with your new adventure. DarDar

Marie, It sounds like you have more insight into yourself than most people have in themselves. I think the counselor is a great idea and wanting to replace harm with good in your life. Kim M.