Help-Addiction Issues

Does anyone have any information on addictions after WLS or experience? Granted my life is stressfull but whos isnt?  I'm not quite ready today to say what is going on but I desperatly want information. I am in counseling, and going to work with my counsolor but he's not famliar with WLS and addiction afterwards. It's been 3yrs since my surgery and I find myself struggling with a new addiction and not eating right. Please help! Giovanna

Giovanna (that is sooo pretty) Anyway, I know what you mean. Everynight when I feel like smoking a cigarette I wonder if it would be worth it to trade that for my food addiction.  Other than the urge to smoke like a chimney I don't have a problem with substances. I really have had a serious problem with shopping though. I know it sounds silly to some but it has caused major problems for me and has proven to be a destructive behavior over and over in my life.  Oh...and when I shopped I would eat crap too. At the same time even. Very self destructive.  I feel your pain and just wanted to say hi. Molly

  Giovanna: I have both read and heard it said that transfer addiction is very common after WLS.  When people can't eat anymore, they often turn to other addictions.  Alcohol, substance, sexual, gambling, even  shopping addictions have taken the place of eating for many people.  Many Morbidly obese people have  highly addictive type personalities.  Good luck with the counseling, you were right to seek it out!!  Best wishes!  DeeAnn

I've also heard that it is a common thing to "transfer" addictions from food to "anything else". I am sooooo glad that you are seeking counseling and are not just "ignoring" the problem. Please keep in touch and let us know if you have a "eureka" moment that any of us could benefit from!! Thanks.    Hugs,      Piggybabe

my eurka moment, i was raised in a family, italian of course where wine is drank but not in excess, for the last six months im not hungry just thirsty and then i have my wine with dinner, and am bored so keep going. last night i pulled the tv off the table thinking it was a chair. i clearly have a problem but dont know why its happening. i know i havent been eating right for the last few months, planning a wedding, a mentally challenged child comming home from treatment ect. its out of control and the biggest thing is that i turn to the achohol instead of food, but yet im not eating right which would probably solve half the problem. i now have a great husband who is taking over everything while i get to the bottom of this.  i dont understand it or the whys of it and that is making it worse. i am happier than i ever have been so why am i self destructing? its driving me nuts and i need information and help.

I understand completely about not understanding why we sabotage ourselves this way. You'd think that we would be sooooooo happy with our new lives that we would live "happily ever after"? But, I think that only happens in "fairy tales". I am soooo thankful that you have a wonderful, understanding husband. I hope that you can get to the bottom of this before any more destruction occurs. Just know that we are here to support you and that we feel your pain. Hugs,   Piggy

I'm a true believer that once an addict always an addict and some folks do transfer food addiction to another addiction.  I know several people who have reached goal weight only at the expense of becoming an alcoholic, or an addicition to pain meds or antidepressants, sexual behavior that ends up ruining an established relationship.  I unfortunately have not managed to completely tame my addiction to food.  I cant have carbs around me and even when they aren't around me, I transfer my bad habit over to eating whatever I have on hand.  I can eat way too many spoonfuls of peanut butter when I am having a bad night.  I think that half the battle is just simply admitting to yourself that you have the addiction whatever it may be and then getting the help you need to live with it.  Way too many people dangerously live in denial. Posting your concerns was a great 1st step! Rosemary

if you do get any information please share, because am going thru the same thing, at first it  was slepping pills it was bad i would look forward to the end of the my workday to get home and pop the pills,i prayed and am glad tht i realised that i was going to mess myself up,  i was doing good for a while then the edge came back on now its alcohol.  this time on top of praying am going into counseling.... all the best to all of us!

I hear ya Giovanna  ( I love the name too:-) Good luck to you.  You are doing the right thing letting your hubby help you and taking the time for yourself.  I totally agree with everyone here who has voiced the very scary and embarasing inner struggles.  I went from food, to drinking and sex, to shopping then back to food (still shop!)  I'm just starting to get myself back together and will post a question in a bit.  Myself, I give you and everyone here so much credit for even being able to voice the demons... ok.. write them lol Thanks for listening.

Hi Giovanna, You might find some useful information on the addictions board.  Best of luck in gaining and keeping control of your life.