be honest...who's drinking???

I have found myself wanting to drink several times a week. Okay about 3 times.   I have never considered myself an alcoholic but lately I wonder.  I am having a hard time sleeping soundly and I really like the numb feeling the booze gives.  Sounds alcoholic doesn't it.   I have seen a 7 pound weight gain in about a week and I am scared.  I know that I can eat more but still.   I also know that I need to move my body nearly every day if I want to maintain the weight loss.  That has been a problem because I broke my pinkie toe and after waiting a couple weeks, I got back  on the treadmill and just ached.  I have just in the last 2 weeks lost my grandmother and I am still not back in  the groove.   I guess I am just venting.  I have never posted and I feel freaked out with the drinking.  Maybe I am just trying to make myself accountable by admitting it "out loud". I would appreciate supportive comments and critisism.   My surgery date was 7/28/2006 Kathy  

I miss coctails.  I drink half a glass of anything alcoholic now and I pass out.  Sugar is my heroin and gives me the same numb feeling you're describing.  Just say "no" sounds much easier than it is to implement.  I don't have any advice other than try to talk to your doctor or a friend or a pastor.  Good luck to you.

I've been drinking more than I have in years.  Only I'm losing weight.  Go figure.  I'm also smoking ciragettes and I quit 4 years ago.  My family is not happy.  But I am losing weight.  Don't really know what to do.  II'm 1 1/2 years out.  Still want to lose 20 pounds but realistically 10 would be good.  I've lost 125 to date.  It's hard.  I have a few drinks and I feel good.  Don't have any advice but I understand. 

I am glad you came to 'let it out' and admit what's happening in your life whether you are an actual alcoholic or not.  There is an addictions board and you might find that helpful.  I struggled with this about 3 months ago...alcohol and Lortab really.  What drinking a part of your life before at all?  It wasn't for me, so I knew I was doing it now for a reason.  I had trouble sleeping as well, still do.  It helped me fall asleep.  THere just was a point, and this might be yours, that I said I wanted to be like I was before only not overweight...no extra addictions or weird behavior.  With that, I was able to stop, mostly I think, because it wasn't my behavior pre-op.  If you think you can, do it.  Stop, but if there is any doubt you can stop, you might persue the alcoholism route...professionally. Either way, just telling someone that your troubled by your own recent behaviors is super important. Good luck Rachael

I am drinking occasionally but I'm not noticing a problem. I only drink when 1) hubby can take me home and he's not drinking 2) in social settings. I don't grab a drink with hard stuff in it after work or anything...ALTHOUGH...I did add tequilla to my lemonades during the summer after nasty days at work. I haven't done that since the weather turned cooler.

My family already has an issue with alcohol so I'm very aware of the mental "need" to self medicate for depression or sadness. I do like the feeling of the numbness when I do drink and the fact that it only takes me one (making me the cheapest drunk in the whole world) to feel anything like silly. I don't drink beer all that much but I do drink the hard stuff (non carbonated) when I do drink.  I understand the transfer addiction thing but haven't figured out what my new addiction could be..Maybe under eating or control freak where my food intake is concerned. I do several things obessively (like shopping, house cleaning...) just not alcohol.

I am sitting at my computer with a headache right now. I had a "few" whiskey and waters last night. In my mind I think Im doing good by mixing with water? I think I drink to feel that numbness and because I am bored. My husband and I are retired and he also drinks. I have been interviewing for jobs in the last couple weeks, I know I need to fill my time with something besides drinking. I to have put on at least 10 pounds since the drinking started, I do treadmill 40 min each day and lift 3-4 times a week, thats probably not doing much good because of the drinking. I drink at least 3 times a week. Happy hour is a big thing at our house but most of the time I dont eat supper and if I do I dont remember. So your not alone out there and hopefully together we can all get through this. I know I have to before something happens. I never drink out in public because I black out. Good Luck, Debra

i drink socially/ocasionally. for example, i haven't had anything alcoholic in the past couple of months b/c i was watching my calories like a hawk plus did not want alcohol to interfere with a new medication i was taken. then last week, my ex-boyfriend took me to Greece for 5 days. while there, i decided to chill out and just enjoy and tried all the local foods, drank all the local wines and spirits and, while club-hopping from midnight to 6 a.m. had as many vodca tonics as my 125lbs body allowed me to consume without feeling sick...basically behaved like a student on her spring break (even though i'm 32 and was able to dine in all the best restaurants, visit the most beautiful isles and ancient cities and all the other stuff i wouldn't have the money for at 22...well, i don't now either but ex-boyfriend did and paid for the whole thing) So for almost a week, i was "off the WLS wagon" and broken all the food and alcohol rules but don't feel the least bit guilty about it. you are supposed to enjoy yourself on vacation and now that i'm back home, i'm back to my normal healthy routine. as far as future alcohol consumption, i have no problem with an occasional glass of wine or a drink in a socially appropriate situation as long as you count the calories towards your daily total.

I hate to admit it, but I have the tendency to be a drinker.  My brother started feeding me beers when I was 11 so I would cook for his friends when he had a party and I've been a stress drinker (and eater) ever since.  I go months, and occasionally years without drinking, but I always slip back.  My surgeon gave me permission to have a glass of wine socially after I hit goal weight at 6 months out.  At that point I did so only on date night with my husband.   Then this September my kids started school full time and my job search (after being an at-home mom for 7 years) went nowhere.  I started going out to lunch and having a glass of wine.  Or two.  Then having a glass or two after the kids went to sleep at night.  And when we went out having more.  After blacking out part of the night at my husband's 40th bday party (I had an appletini) I'm on a dry spell again.  It's been a month this time. It's hard because even when I was drinking I could go years without drinking to excess.  My problem now is that excess is a lot less than it used to be!! 

Oh My.......I am almost 62 and feeling so down in the dumps the last few weeks.Lots of family things.Not hubby and I, but my kids who are now in there 40"s  are not having a great time in there lives.I have examined myself and find that I am doing all the things I just read from everyone on this thread.It is very hard for me to sy No when they need some kind off money issues........etc.....

I also do not write much ,but find myself on the comouter more since I have recognized I need to fix me.Before I get much older..How long did it take for us baby boomers to realize we are now our parents and our kids teahers.

I have not reached my goal,but ,I am under 200,havent gotten on the scale the last month...need to keep in touch with this group because I have somewhat of a goal. In January hubby and I are going to Hawaii...!been married 36 years. So I need to get on track. thanks Ladies......I am a bad typist,and hate to spell too ....

Linrr in Ca