X-Post - ALCOHOLISM.

I rarely come here anymore, but I noticed a reply to a post of mine back in April, and felt I needed to respond to it. Please read and take it to heart. Especially newbies. Thanks.

"Just got an email letting me know there were replies to my old thread from last April.

I am an alcoholic - I was fooling myself to think I could control it.
I am on day 102 of sobriety, and am finding it easier now to concentrate on my health and nutrition now that I got that monkey off my back.

There is a lot of theory out there and research to that effect that having gastric bypass surgery can 're-wire' people's systems enough so that they more quickly become alcoholics. We don't have the digestive enzymes to break down the alcohol as effectively anymore - much like the studies that were done that show native Canadians or Americans don't have - and I don't know about south of the border, but alcoholism is RAMPANT in the native population up here.

I have also recently found out I was using alcohol to regulate my insulin and blood sugars - I am Hypoglycemic. And, I had a previous addiction to nicotine in the past. Getting surgery was - for me - a guarantee that I would develop alcoholism. It was just a matter of time, and unfortunately I took that first drink 3 months out.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease, and gastric bypass puts it into warp speed.

My advice would be to NEVER *NEVER* pick up a drink after surgery. Ever. And if it's too late and you already have, never take another. And if you even THINK you're drinking a 'little too much' stop NOW. You could be one drink away from that slippery slope of alcoholism. I am just glad I stopped before I hit rock bottom. Because with our new system post-surgery, rock bottom could be 6 feet under.

Please take this to heart.

I wish the medical community could really start warning people what could happen regarding alcohol. Simply asking someone if they drank a lot prior to surgery isn't enough. We can lie, or you can tell the truth like I did: "I am a once in a while party binger, or a few drinks with company and nothing for weeks/MONTHS after". But nonetheless, 3 years post-surgery I was a full-blown alcoholic.

Good luck to all of you.

Diana"

Thank you for your honesty, and concern for others.  Congratulations on your sobriety!  Keep up the good work.  Alcoholism is a deadly disease.  We lost my husband's brother 2 years ago to alcoholism.  He was given a second chance with a liver transplant, by a miracle of God.  Once he felt better, he started drinking again and wasted the precious 16-year-old liver that he received.  It was such a shame. 

I applaud you for being honest with yourself and taking steps to overcome your addiction.  I wish you a lifetime of sobriety, and good health!

 Hey Child,

I feel ya. I had my surgery at age 16, I am 33 now. If you are bad at math that is like 17 years ago.  I have been battling alcoholism and drug addiction ever since. Not sure if it was just swapping the food addiction for the other or if one caused the other but I know that it has not been easy. I had 2 and 1/2 years sober but had a relapse for about a year and now have 63 days. Congrats on the 102 days. Dido on the advice to never take a drink after surgery. If just one person reads this and changes their mind about drinking then thank God. It has been a very hard road. As far as my surgery, I lost 130 pounds within about 3 months and havent gained a pound since. I had both the gastric bypass and the stomach stapling both done at once. I do have problems with vitamin deficiency and anemia abut am starting to concentrate on my health more too now that I am sober. Anyways take care.

Wow Diana, thank you for this post.  I've done the reading about this problem as well.  I was a social drinker before WLS .  I never drank at home always out.  I lived with an enabler and she started bringing alcohol home.  She rarely drank, she smoked pot.  I took that kick start drink about 4 months out.  My poison of choice was Jaeger.  That shot hit my pouch and I had to sit down.  It got easier after that.  I've gone to AA, etc.  I now live with my daughter and her family since my 17 yr relationship crashed.  My son in law drinks too but is able to moderate his intake so he moderates mine as well. 
No more Jaeger, just wine or beer or Twisted Tea. 
I admire your commitment to yourself for quitting.  I chose not to.  After several attempts in a visit with a psychologist, I realized that I just don't want to quit.
I work long hours and my TV, computer, my new kitty and my drink is my social life.  I have the downstairs half of the house.  It's like a cozy cocoon. 

Thank you for this post. I have recently admitted to myself that Im an alcoholic... a binge drinker. It has cost me a great guy that I adored, a few friends, I was arrested on a DUI charge, and if I hadn't already given my notice at my last job, they wouldve fired me for my drunken antics.
Im trying to find a therapist to work on the root of the problem. As a part of the mandatory classes I have to take because of the DUI, I will be attending AA.

The worst thing Ive lost is my dignity. Im embarrassed by the things Ive done. Im truly scared for my future. Sure I may be going through life in a smaller size, but if I can't get control of my drinking, I absolutely believe that its going to kill me.

I wish you the best on your journey.