Need Local Support

I am 8 months out and going through some major problems with addiction transferrence - I need support asap.  I am in Suffolk near Smith Haven Mall and need some local people to chat with asap that have/are dealing with major addiction transferrence issues.

I admire that you recognize the problem and want to do something about it. That's a biggie. I can understand completely as I also have an addictive quality to my personality. (So far...so good..knock on wood.) There are many support groups that you can bounce ideas off of and share experiences without being judged and that is wonderful - but not all that you need. Maybe your Drs. office can recommend a therapist who is specifically qualified in  transfer addiction. So although support groups are invaluable, I think that you have to work hand in hand with a professional. If you'd like, maybe I can ask around for a specialist as I have many friends who are psych nurses. I wish you all the best.  Please keep us posted and we can also recommend a few support groups in your area - though again - some groups do not have qualified therapists running them.

I just wanted to say that I give you so much credit and you should be so proud that you are taking this seriously and asking for help!!! I have a family member that has a drinking problem right now and she had her surgery 3 years ago. She really think she does not have this problem so I am so glad to see that you making this effort and I sure hope that you can find some local help! ~Hugs~ I would be happy to help if I can hun, just let me know! ~hugs~

hey IF U NEED TO TALK I AM HERE I AM A PaTIENT OF AHMADS LIVE NEAR YOU AS WELL EMAIL ME AND ILL GIVE YOU MY PHONE NUMBER: [email protected] LOVE TO BE THERE FOR U  HUGS LISA XOXOX

Scorpia77: Hello, thank you for sharing this very important and COMMON issue post WLS! You are so Strong and Brave! You are not alone, over 2 years or more ago I started an online support group it is more active as of late for this very reason so needed, a online source for support in addition to in person supports you can enlist! I can not help you locally but pulling from a s many supportive sources can only assist your recovery~

 

I recently had a friend of mine who is a post-op Bandster, addictions therapist, psychologist come to my support group and give a presentation on Obesity, Weight Loss Surgery and addictions. It was awesome!!! http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-addiction/ I think OH has one as well http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/addictions/ Addictions are our wounded inner child’s way of crying, who is usually attempting to find happiness/peace/safety/control by using alcohol/rx drugs/sex/food/shopping/gambling/exercise etc. as a way to soothe emotions such as: fear, loneliness, sadness, anger, shame, guilt, hurt. When this happens for me I look within myself asking what am I FEELING and why? (*FEAR is usually at top of the list!) I just know for myself the road of my destructive emotional eating as a dangerous and unhealthy/unfulfilling one that leads me further down a path of self-destruction/hate. I started my emotional work at years 4 postop but I wish I had not waited preop was the time to get involved in my personal growth. I can only go forward but my point is start now this minute all of us!!! I’m hoping if you are not already you will consider getting involved with many forms of support for your addiction? Such as therapy individual &/or group, 12 step groups, self-help readings, online groups for WLS/addictions, journaling, meditation, spirituality (whatever that may mean to you) etc.

 

http://www.hms.harvard.edu/doa/html/whatisaddiction.htm

 

 

 

One simple model for understanding addiction is to apply the three Cs:

 

·Behavior that is motivated by emotions ranging along the Craving to Compulsion spectrum

 

·Continued use in spite of adverse consequences

 

·Loss of Control. 

 

I hope these 11 articles may also assist you in your process….

 

ARTICLES ON WLS AND ADDICTIONS

 

1. Recommendations on the Use of Alcohol After Surgery

    

By: Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D.

 

http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com/obesityResearch/precauti onsWithAlcohol.html

 

 

 

2. Caution When Using Alcohol after Bariatric Surgery                    

    

By Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D.

 

http://www.barimd.com/myNewsletterPage.php?pageNo=5&practice Id=7

 

 

 

3. Alcohol Use in the Bariatric Patient

    

Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D. in Silhouette

 

http://www.bbvitamins.com/research_Article_5.aspx

 

 

 

4. Alcoholism Following Weight Loss Surgery

    

http://www.wlscenter.com/NLArchive/may_1_2006.htm

 

 

 

5. After weight-loss surgery, some find new addictions

    

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0718wsj-addiction- transfer18-ON.html#

 

 

 

6. Patient Perspective: My Battle with Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery - by Patty Worrells  http://www.bariatrictimes.com/displayArticle.cfm?articleID=a rticle276

    

 

 

 

 

7. Perspective: Alcohol and the Gastric Bypass Patient by Cynthia K. Buffington, PhD Perspective:

    

http://www.bariatrictimes.com/displayArticle.cfm?articleID=a rticle273

 

 

 

 

 

8. From BSCIs e-Newsletter October 31st, 2006

    

 

 

Addiction and Weight Loss Surgery: A Social Worker's Perspective

 

By Katie Jay, MSW; Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a typical scenario. At her sister's wedding, Fiona, who had never been a big drinker, decided to try her first taste of alcohol after weight loss surgery (WLS). She had waited 11 months after surgery, had lost 115 pounds so far, and wasn't going to deny herself a glass of champagne on such an important day. And wow, did she enjoy that champagne! She sipped on a small drink, got a nice buzz, and laughed the evening away. No big deal.

 

 

 

Fiona didn't realize that gastric bypass patients will get drunker quicker and have higher blood alcohol levels after drinking smaller quantities of alcohol than people who have not had weight loss surgery.

 

 

 

Fiona Rekindles the "Pleasure" of a Mood-Altering Activity

 

 

 

After WLS, Fiona had done a pretty good job of changing her eating habits. She almost completely avoided sugar and ate mostly protein and veggies. She loved her success, but there was a part of her who missed indulging in food. When she tried the champagne, she felt self indulgent and relaxed in a way she hadn't in a long time (in about 11 months, actually).

 

 

 

The following week when Fiona was grocery shopping she decided to pick up a bottle of wine. It would be great to have a small glass before dinner sometimes, she thought. She poured herself a small glass when she got home from the store just to find out how it tasted and to quietly enjoy another little buzz.

 

 

 

Over time, Fiona began to sneak wine during the day. She hid it when her husband commented on her consumption. The behavior of wanting something forbidden, getting it, hiding it, and consuming it in private was so familiar to Fiona from her days of overeating that it was almost a relief to sneak the wine -- and she slowly built up the quantity she was drinking.

 

 

 

Thankfully, Fiona was participating in group therapy with a social worker who specialized in weight loss surgery at the time. When one of the other group members shared about getting into a car accident and being arrested for driving drunk, Fiona felt uncomfortable. She had driven to pick up her son from soccer the prior evening after she had a small glass of wine. At the time she knew she was tipsy.

 

 

 

Still, she poured herself more wine when she got home from group and drank it in the basement playroom, because her husband almost never went down there.

 

 

 

Fiona didn't have to get arrested for drunk driving to really "get" that she had a problem. Everything came to a head when her son found an empty wine bottle in his toy box in the basement, while Fiona had another mother and son over for a play date. Fiona was completely humiliated.

 

 

 

Embarrassed and ashamed, Fiona called her therapist to talk about what happened, and the therapist referred her to a social worker who specializes in substance abuse.

 

 

 

With the help of the therapist and a support group for substance abusers, Fiona was able to get on the road to recovery quickly.

 

 

 

But, why did Fiona Turn into an Alcoholic Overnight?

 

 

 

Fiona simply switched one addiction for another. It's not uncommon for a person who gives up one addictive behavior to pick up another addictive behavior. Fiona had quit using food as a soothing substance in her life. The alcohol came in and filled that void.

 

 

 

Switching addictions is also demonstrated when a person develops an unhealthy relationship with eating and exercise following weight loss surgery.

 

 

 

Exercise can become a way to compensate for overeating, and can turn into what is called exercise bulimia. It's not bad to exercise as part of a plan to control one's weight. But if the overeating becomes excessive, and then the exercise becomes obsessive -- that's a problem. Your physical health can be threatened -- not to mention your peace of mind.

 

 

 

The other common addiction people switch to is spending. Many weight loss surgery patients get such a kick out of shopping for new clothes they get a little carried away - and then they get hooked. Having been so burdened by obesity in the past, weight loss surgery patients begin to leave the house more, because they're now physically able to, and they shop more frequently. Shopping can morph into a mood-changing activity, and hence, an addiction.

 

 

 

What Can People Do in Fiona's Situation?

 

 

 

Several steps can be taken to address the experience of switching addictions:

 

 

 

1. Identify your addiction(s) and the extent to which it is (they are) ruling your life.

 

 

 

2. Educate yourself about a particular addiction by doing research and talking to professionals who have knowledge and experience in that area.

 

 

 

3. Seek out a knowledgeable social worker if you are unable to control your addictive behavior on your own.

 

 

 

4. Join a support group that addresses your specific addiction, such as overeaters anonymous, alcoholics anonymous, debtors anonymous, etc. Remember, addictions are very common and nothing to be ashamed of. But, they are hard to get rid of in isolation. Get help if you are struggling. And keep in mind any addictions left untreated absolutely will take over your life.

 

Katie Jay, MSW, is the Director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (www.nawls.com) and is author of the courageous book, Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, How Weight Loss Surgery Gave Me Hope for Living.

 

BSCI is pleased to participate in a global survey on Response to Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery. We would like your input as we continue to elevate care for WLS patients.

 

 

 

9.  Popular Weight Loss Procedure Could Lead to Addiction

 

http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=6546994&ClientType=Pr intable

 

 

 

10.Causes for Food Addiction http://www.usbariatric.com/Silhouette_articles/articles_rese arch.html#Causes_for_Food_Addiction

 

 

 

11.COPING WITH ADDICTION http://www.habitsmart.com/coping.html

 

  KEEP US POSTED!!!