Alcohol

Hey Everyone...haven't been on the site in ages. I had surgery on January 13, 2003. I have been grateful, for the opportunity to have had it, everyday since. My problem, a severe one, is that I've replaced one addiction with another. Instead of turning to food, I now turn to alcohol. I want so badly to stop but don't know how. Has anyone else encountered this problem? If so, how are you dealing with it? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hey Vanessa, Im preop but had a real problem with alcohol two summers ago. I was drinking like crazy to cover up marital problems. I would drink up to a fifth a day and then wine coolers and beer on top of it. I was way out of control. I was able to quit cold turkey when I resolved alot of my problems that I had going on in my life. I think that's the answer that most people don't want to hear, there is no magic pill, but I think counseling can help you resolve problems and work them out for the better. Best of Luck and don't give up. Craig

I am a recovering alcoholic and by all means do not take this as me preaching to you because that is not what I am about.. But I do know the pain of being addicted to booze.. The one thing that I know is that you have to find another way to channel your energy.. Maybe volunteer to help someone.. And to be honest with you no one can tell you how to quit or what to do unless you have made up your mind to quit.. I pray that you will conquer this evil beast.. Ifyou need anything feel free to write me.. If you would like my yahoo ID just email me.. PEACE 464/409/331/215

Vanessa I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. Sober for 12 years. AA saved my life. Just call them and go to a meeting and they will help you from there. Don't feel bad about it, my first and last addiction is food. I just really know that if you get to an AA meeting and get with some of the women you will get the support you need. The only requirement for membership to AA is a desire to stop drinking. They don't say you must already be stopped. I will pray for you that you do not have to suffer from alcohol anymore. Debbie

Yes. Vanessa, there is an other person out here who has gotten into alcohol after wls. I think it is partly this. I have had a big problem keeping food down after eating, i also feel lousy, hot sweaty, and nausious, i have to lay down. shots of tequilla go down surprizingly easy. I believe its a matter of Fuel. alcohol is like jet fuel. it is energy now. for those of us who have the body that can do it. the problem is that it is so damaging. the tissues of the stomach are dying off and becoming less able to recover every time we drink. i also have noticed, that twenty plus hours after drinking, I have even more trouble keeping food down. I have given up liquor and wine, and have had a much better life with only beer. of course, i cant drink much. that has worked great for me. sincerely, Loretta

I am a recovering drug addict, been clean from drugs for 3 years Sept 13th. I did not quit drinking though and before surgery it was getting really bad. I had to quit because I was having surgery. I quit a week before. I was a really heavy drinker, sometimes 3 fifths of vodka a week. I also quit smoking 4 days before surgery. I tell you, since surgery it is so hard when I have stress, because I have none of those old comforts, not even food. Part of the reason I got as fat as I did was when I quit using drugs, I ate more and more. It is very common to substitute one addiction for another. I have been really tempted to drink, especially since told that it would take a lot less to get good and toasted. I refrain only because I am scared of the effect it will have on my new tummy. Also, because I cannot see drinking without smoking. I guess you need to find a new healthier addiction. In my case, I am addicted to the internet (and OH) right now. I spend all of my free time doing this. that might not be ideal to some, but maybe you could excersize more or start doing crafts or something. Also I have known many people who have been helped by AA, so that is a good suggestion. Good luck to you, I do hope you rid yourself of that demon. Joy

HI Vanessa- I could have written your post! I realized this morning that I truly had a problem with alcohol. I found an AA meeting and went. I know this sounds like it was easy, but it was one of the hardest things I have done. I am glad I did, though. I am scared as well because as I give up this addiction, I am afraid something else will take its place. They gave me a book- the "Big Book"- and I am going to try to read some of it every day and when I feel driven to drink. They also passed around a paper and all the women wrote their names and numbers on it for me to call at any time. I can't tell you to go to a meeting, but I want to ask you to please get help somehow. Donna

YES I can relate, I have found that alcohol makes everything feel so good, I did try AA and found it helpful, I am starting to geainweight and am thinking I need to join weith watchers again, but alcohol feels real good,any suggestions????

I think alcohol has replace food for you, iwent throught the same thing and have not yet replaced alcohol with anything, you need to seek help from surgeon, maybe need psychi therapy, do not hesitate now

Vanessa, I had RNY surgery in 1999. I lost 120 pounds even though I only needed to loose 80. I looked great, thought I was hot stuff, started "partying", whi*****luded drinking, and boom, instant alcoholic! You are a beautiful woman and I can't help but wonder if you did the same thing as me. Anyway, I was blacking out within 6 months. This went on for a year in which time my life became unmanageable. I think the alcohol effects us in a more pronounced way due to the sugars. I believe that I was an alcoholic waiting to happen anyway as it is a family disease and my whole family has it. I just waited till I was 45, (two years post op). I became as obsessed with drinking, as I had with food. It's quite common for us to trade one addiction for another. Long story short, I joined AA, admitted I was powerless over alcohol and that my life had become unmanageable, (the first of 12 steps to a much better life) I have since met two people in my group who have had this surgery and become alcoholic. I have been trying to get this message out but was never really an Internet person. I found this site when I was looking for information about another problem I am having with Anemia. I was stunned to see so many people with alcohol problems. For me, a short stay in an inpatient facility to detox safely was the start. I relapsed 3 weeks later because I didn't do what was suggested to me. I went back to the out patient therapy, 3 hours a night, 3 nights a week for 6 weeks. It helped put things in perspective for me and solidify my resolve. I attend regular AA meetings, have a sponsor and a loving accepting group of friends. I learned quickly that women's meeting are safer as "mixed" meeting tend to distract you from your goals, plus it's not easy to "share" personal stuff with men in the room. I have been happy and sober for almost 2 years. I am now 48 I have had a tummy tuck, inner thigh lift, butt lift, thigh lipo, breast lift with augmentation and an upper and lower eye lift (which I couldn't do while I was drinking as alcohol is a blood thinner Yikes!). I look better than I did when I was 30 but more importantly, I feel better. My life is rich and sweet and it is all because of what I have learned about myself working the 12 steps. It has resolved all kinds of issues for me. If you call information and ask for AA Central they will give you information on meetings in your area. Good luck and God bless you. Dee