Cross addiction 5 yrs out

I appreciate your concern.  But at my age and experience I don't need a doc to tell me how to get off Lexapro.. . ya know?  There is a protocol for getting off stuff like that.. and common sense... You do not get off things like that cold turkey.  That is asking for trouble... the doc who put me on it did not tell me if can cause alcohol cravings... so I rather deal with that my way... 

I am also a herbalist and can substitute herbs for that during detox.. Pill is just so much easier..  (so I thought) ... 

" no one like a druggie but everyone loves a drunk...: ( " I disagree with that... my ex was a drunk.. . it was not fun...

Hey, you aren't alone....just realizing my issue with opiates.  Long story but would love to discuss with you. 

This might be a stupid question but I have heard of alcohol addition and even grew up with it in my family but I never heard it called cross addiction. What is cross addiction? Is it when you have two addictions? Just trying to understand.

If you consider your overweight as a symptom of an addiction to food (being used as a drug to cope with life stuff), and you, for example, have WLS and are no longer able to do the food-drug anylonger, and resort to alcohol, drugs, sex, etcccccc. to substitute for the food, you are cross-addicted.  Oversimplified answer, but basically in a nutshell.

I just saw your post.....and I totally can understand your thought process. I was just checking in before beginning my work day, but will email you when I get home. This could be good support for both of us!

Angela

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/crossingtotransferaddictions/discussion/

This forum has over 1000 members, but not a lot of people share, which is truly a shame, since this affects so many of us.  I've e-mailed you.  I developed alcoholism after weight loss surgery and now have close to 4 years sober.  I'm available to help in any way I can.

Hi! I had WLS in 2005. I have done well with the weight loss. Just a few ups and downs. But I am an alcoholic now. I had no idea when I had my surgery that something like 1/3 of people who have weight loss surgery become addicted to other substances!! I got a DUI in 2007 but still didn't think I had a problem. My drinking escalated to the point of despair. I was financially ruined and getting in trouble at work. I was hopeless and praying to God to either take me or help me stop drinking. I have been going to AA since then, I have a sponsor and follow the steps. I have been sober since Sept 22, 2012. And my life has turned around completely!! If you want to talk please let me know!!! I wish you all the best!!!!

Stixx just wanted you to know there's lots of us out here pulling for you. From what I've read, there isn't a lot of research on the connection between RNY and alcoholism but it happens so often that we all know there IS a connection, I've seen it discussed on Melting Mama's blog.

Thanks to all for sharing your experience. People need to know about the risk here.

I got sober at age 27 which is some 26 years ago. I tried just going to meetings but kept getting drunk so finally went to a 28 day rehab and then an extended treatment center for intensive outpatient. Then AA meetings daily for another year after that. Plus therapy! That's what it took for ME. Hopefully for you the alcohol is not so deeply ingrained in your life and thinking so it won't take as much but I would say that most people underestimate what it takes to get sober and that's why they don't succeed. But the effort is absolutely and completely worth it. In fact, as much as this surgery has changed my life, if I had to choose between the weight loss and sobriety. I would take sobriety without hesitation.

Good luck!!