Question:
Help! I am drinking too much!
I used to drink alot in college and as I got older it just became an occasional drink. Now after surgery I and 26 and have been going out alot and drinking is going along with that. Some nights I will just drink a soda or water..or a mocktail. But when I do drink ...I REALLY drink! I feel like I am out of control and its scary. Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks for any input. — Anonymous A. (posted on March 31, 2003)
March 31, 2003
I would hate to be blunt about your questions - but I think you need help
and I'm not sure why you posted your question on this web site. It appears
you haven't had the surgery yet and before getting it, you will need to get
your drinking under control or there is no sense in getting the surgery at
all. It seems you are asking for answers to a problem that doesn't concern
WLS. Following WLS, drinking is a big no no. Therefore, it may not be for
you.
— Meg T.
March 31, 2003
I agree that the poster may need some assistance with an addiction, but i
think it's TOTALLY inappropriate to be so mean about it. i'm on this site
because I care about people, and to me a cry for help is a cry for help, no
matter what it's regarding, and since the poster is clearly post-op, it may
very well have EVERYTHING to do with WLS. How unkind of you!
— Lesa H.
March 31, 2003
Only you can decide if you have a problem with alcohol. Alcoholism is a
disease of self diagnosis, meaning only you can say if you think you are
drinking too much. Part of the reason for that is that even if everyone
else under the sun tell you you have a problem, until "YOU"
believe you have a problem you cant get help. This may not be the best
forum to address your issues, concerns or fears. You may find you get more
support if you ask for advice for friend of Bill W. and have them email you
off line. Trust me, they will be there, and will help point you in the
right direction...if thats where you want to go.....take care......
— Keniki B.
March 31, 2003
get yourself to an AA meeting at once. they will help.
— Kasey
March 31, 2003
PEOPLE THAT POST REPLIES:<br>
Please keep in mind when answering people's questions on this Q&A board
that for every question you read, there are probably hundreds, if not
thousands, of people who have the exact same problem but were afraid to
post it. Nobody deserves to be criticized or lectured and it doesn't help
them at all! Have some heart, geeeezz!!
— thumpiez
March 31, 2003
There are many, many reasons and drives that cause us to participate in
self destuctive behaviours. If you FEEL out of control, then you are
already ahead of the game. Do check out AA meetings - they saved the lives
of many people (several of my family members). But also talk to your
doctor(s) about this. There are medications to help; SSRI's for example,
have been a big help for me. Be up front about the problems you are having
and if you are not finding the support with you doctor - keep trying.
Another really important action is to separate yourself from the temptation
- avoid the Clubs. There are alot of social group activities that do not
have to center around alcohol. Be the organizer, find new and interesting
things to do with your pals and have a blast. You are self aware about the
things that are dangerous to you and it is obvious that you feel the need
to change it, use the force Luke, use ALL the resources available to you.
God Bless.
— MaryCinFL
March 31, 2003
Hi, Anonymous! I'm still pre-op, but have found through my research that a
lot of us MO's end up trading one addiction for another (food for alcohol).
That can certainly be understandable, as we are so used to consoling
ourselves with food, and when that doesn't cut it, we turn to something
else. (During most of my "successful" diets, I returned to
smoking cigarettes. I think I just needed something to do with my mouth!
When I'm eating regular, I don't need the cigs.) Please don't beat
yourself up about it. You can see that you might have a problem, and that
maybe you need to do something about it. If you're not into the group
thing (like AA), could you talk to a therapist? Maybe your surgeon's
office could recommend someone who is experienced with this stuff. Best
wishes to you, and glad you posted this question.
— Carlita
March 31, 2003
I am still pre-op, but the nurse reviewing my chart saw that I do drink.
She made a point to call me and tell me that I cannot drink after the
surgery. She explained to me that with the Gastric Bypass, the part of the
intestine bypassed is where alcohol is broken down before going to the
liver. She said she had a patient who returned to drinking after the
surgery and he died, so she goes to great measure to warn her patients.
PLEASE be careful!
— Sharon B.
April 1, 2003
I have a question to add to this question -- and maybe you guys can answer
it. What is too much? Other, obviously, than when you feel out of
control. I've heard people pass along horror stories about drinking
post-op, but my surgeon allows it, in moderation. I'm just curious about
what you all think is "too much." (Just curious, guys, not
concerned. I don't need any emails. :)
— Tamara K.
April 1, 2003
Hi there. I am a recovering alcoholic who is pre op. Trading addictions
is a very common theme for those of us with compulsive behavior. Only you
can admit if you are powerless over alcohol and your life has become
unmanageable. Please feel free to e mail me and I can direct you to many
different resources, including a questionnaire that can help you to decide
if you have crossed the line into alcoholism. There are many recovering
people that come to this site who prefer to remain anonymous, who will
probably contact you privately. It is inappropriate for anyone who suffers
from the disease of morbid obesity to judge anyone else's disease.
— Susan F.
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