Alcoholism- It has me.

Hi all,

I will be honest and blunt.

I have never had a problem with alcohol before. In fact I rarely drank at all for months at a time except when I was away on vacation. My RNY was in Dec. 2014. In Oct 2015 I was demoted at work from a manager to a supervisory position- devastating me both in pride and financially) It hit me hard (I suffer from depression also), and I began drinking almost daily. I went and saw a psychologist who was somewhat helpful. I stopped seeing her due to change in insurance coverage. I am drinking daily now each night when I return from work. and I need to stop. I am scared and I would appreciate any and all suggestions on the best course to take.

Thank you and look forward to your input.

I'm sorry. I see so many stories like yours. I want to scream when I see new people anxious to start drinking again after surgery. They are all convinced it won't be a problem, that they can handle it. Too often, it ends up being a big problem.

Please get to an AA meeting, soon. They know how to help. This is going to be really hard. But you'll feel so much better. Good luck.

Just wanted to say that I also feel exactly the same way you do... "I want to scream when I see new people anxious to start drinking again after surgery."  Thanks for being so open, honest and straight forward, lots of newbies needs to listen to our Vets.  Thanks Grim

You are a brave man to be honest about your drinking. No doubt you are on the way to recovery. You have made the right step to start your recovery. Please let us know what your other plans are to keep on the path. 

Hello,

I can only tell you my story. The thing I was running from was myself. I was a heavy drinker until 7 years ago. 1 day I woke up, and I could not do it anymore. I just stopped that day. I know now that some cannot just stop like that.

I know that I didn't stop until I was ready to. I go to A.A. sometimes. But more to remind myself of the raw pain involved with addiction. 

It got easier as each day went by without it. I switched to diet coke. I broke the diet coke addiction last year. It was because I wanted it more.

Many of us are foolish, and never cry out for help in this manner. They are the truly lost. There is much hope in you. But, what do you want to do?

Good luck.

I am sorry to hear that.  

I also believe that there are physical reasons why so e people can have more problem than others to quit drinking - obstain.. 

Long time ago I got a book about adictions ...I was trying to understand my ex. http://www.amazon.com/Alcoholism-Addiction-Cure-Holistic-App roach/dp/0943015448/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=

"Freedom from dependency starts with understanding that alcohol, drugs, and addictive behaviors are not the real problems," says Chris Prentiss, cofounder of Passages Addiction Cure Center. "Alcohol, street drugs, nicotine, prescription medications, food bingeing, gambling, and the like are merely the substances or behaviors you or your loved ones are using to cope with the real problems--anything from deep emotional pain, ill health, or depression to hypoglycemia, a sluggish thyroid, or brain-wave pattern imbalances. Once the underlying problems are discovered and cured, the need for drugs, alcohol, or addictive behavior will disappear--along with the craving."

Personally - I think some of the cravings may still be there, but when underlying issues are corrected - the cravings can be controlled.  Like cravings for carbs - sugars after RNY.. . I still ant a donut, or cookies,or cake, or candies.. But 99% of the time I don't eat any.. Becuase I feel better if I don't... 

A 2-3 of years post op RNY I found myself on the edge of addiction.... I realized I was medicating myself.  I went to my doc to run very detailed blood work. We found out that I was deficient. 

My iron, proteins, B1 were low. B6 too high... I also had severe hypoglycemia. Plus I had gut pain every time I ate dense foods.  I had low energy, and was depressed. My hormons were very low. I was also on antidepressants... 

All of those factors made me reach to a quick fix ...booze... 

Once I corrected the deficiencies, issues... (got surgery to fix hernia that cause a lot of pain after eating) I was able to recover...it was not easy...still is not... Once in while I may have a drink.. But not very often. And I know that most likely I need to give it up completely.

Big hugs to you!   

It IS a scary thing and alcohol is a depressant, so it makes your depression worse and that turns into an ugly ever strangling spiral.  Switching addictions from food to alcohol is all too common after weight loss surgery.  But there is hope - LOTS of it!  Please reach out and grab that help.  Addiction grows like mushrooms - in the dark, isolated places within us. Contact your doctor for help and most importantly, find your local AA meeting TODAY.  Don't wait.  Don't think about it.  Just GO.  NOW!  Because your journey of the next thousand miles starts with your first step.  

You came to the right place to be honest and blunt.  The replies so far come from compassionate people handing over their strengths so you can pick yourself up and move back to the path you started December, 2014.  Cheering you on for success, one day at a time.

Thank you. i too am drinkin every night... hell, im drinkin right now ..... im tryin to overcome it.... but its hard. i withdrawl when i dont drink. i feel like **** alot of people told me to go to AA... but thats not for me... as i dont feel bad for anyone else.. being a vetrean. blown up shot ... i know ill beat this... i just hope i beat it before i destroy my liver. i hope the same for you, Good Luck

Care to share how you plan to beat the hold alcohol has on you?  I think you have already started by replying to ZoneChef.  Help is what we all come here for.  How can we help you, oneuppr1?