Transfer Addicition

[happy days]

Has anyone suffered from transfer addiction. My alcohol intake is getting a little out of hand.

 

[girlygirl1]

I was reading about this very issue yesterday. Google the subject and you will find lots of related articles, etc. It seems that increased alcohol intake is very common following WLS, particularly after gastric bypass. One statistic I read suggested that as many as 50% of WLS patients later develop an alcohol problem, where no such problem existed prior to surgery. I wonder if, as you suspect, this might be due to patients subconsciously 'replacing' excess food with booze?

Obviously I am no expert, I merely came across the original article when surfing the net. I have no clue as to whether or not the information, or the statistics, are accurate.

 

[Mazza]

Oh dear, is it something you feel you can deal with by yourself or maybe do you need to speak to your GP?

I do recall a couple of threads on here about this subject and like the previous poster I have read articles on it.

Not sure what else to say but I hope you manage to sort things out xx

 

[girlygirl1]

I agree with Mazza - if you feel you need any kind of help, or you just want to talk it over, speak to your GP. Perhaps someone on your WLS team, or your dietician, can advise?

Thank you for highlighting this problem. There may be many here worrying about the same thing yet suffering in silence due to embarrassment or fear.

 

[happy days]

Not sure at the minute. I know I've crept up to a bottle of wine a night. Buts i think it's more of a bad habit I've got into of just winding down after work. I used to do the same pre op but then barely touched anything for a year after but now iam not sure weather iam in control of it or its in control of me.

 

[Mazza]

Maybe cutting down to start with will help, limiting to two glasses every other night.

Give it a try x

 

[amanda577]

I think its very brave and sensible to actually get it out in the open and admit that you are worried about it. Addiction transfer is a real concern with bypassers, or so the statistics tell us. I know it's not easy, but why not have a word with your team, or failing that at least your GP, who can maybe get you a referral for some counselling and try and nip this in the bud before it becomes anymore serious? I read alot about addiction transfer on the american weight loss sites before I had my surgery and it seems to be a pretty common occurrence. In truth, I wish I could just give you a hug right now and tell you not to worry, but things are never that simple.
Really hope you keep us posted on how you are coping with this... xxx

 

[happy days]

Going to try and not have any at all tonight and see what happens. I've drank every night since about may.

 

[babyseed]

Just wanted to say I think your very brave for posting and acknowledging there may be a problem. Please ensure you do talk to your gp as it is a slippery slope but if you to catch it before it worsens you will limit the damage to your body. Hugs xx

 

[ThinnerJemima]

Really hope you make it through the next 24 hours and succeed.

One day at a time.

:grouphugg:

 

[amanda577]

If it gets rough and you really feel like a drink then pm me and I will give you my phone numbers if you want to talk to someone doesn't matter what time xxx

 

[mummykcb]

My addiction was gambling and alchohol as a teen and then ended up as food as an adult. i think my addiction now is sorting out my life and filling the void food had filled. I'm now addicted to cross stitching and going to study again to fill the hole. Maybe find something to fill the void in the evenings, even if its going out for a walk to fill the time up.

 

[shelleymarie]

I don't know much about addiction transfer other than it scares me but I do know a lot about alcoholism as my mother is in recovery and I know the first thing she would say is face things head on. If you feel it's becoming a problem and a bottle a night sounds like a fast slipping slope to me, then talk to your GP. There are alcohol management programs that can help you gain control again, before you get to the stage where it's total abstinence for life (although some people actually find that easier than trying limit it), as I know that can be something that actually scares people into keeping quiet about it all. I know I've seen leaflets in gp's waiting rooms saying come in for a chat about your alcohol intake etc so even that might be enough to pull things in again. Hope you made it through the evening and that you can start making the steps to make sure it is you in control and not the drink, best of luck x

 

[amanda577]

Hope you got through the night okay happy days.. xx

 

[Cicca]

Going to try and not have any at all tonight and see what happens. I've drank every night since about may.

Do something else, easier said than done I know. However try a diversion, something that will take your mind off drinking. It's a bummer being in category we are in. Constantly battling with obsessive thoughts, but I think actually we are highly intelligent people and thus the brain never stops!!

Anna xx.

Sent from my iPhone using WLSurgery

 

[gonnabethinner]

Must confess this is something that concerns me very much am worried about . I feel this could be a future problem for me do like a drink or two in the eve to wind down but take food out of the equation could spell trouble. Getting a book about this type of thing.just in case. Glad u brought it up hune

 

[Paul-H]

Hi

I suspect I have a bit of an issue with transfer addiction, not for booze in my case but with being thin, I might have overdone my commitment post surgery and lost all my weight a bit to fast, which in my case means I have lost too much muscle bulk as well as fat bulk. Still I did get to target weight in seven months but now have to try and re build my muscles so that I can actually benefit from the weightloss. As at the moment I am much to weak to do that.

Paul

 

[happy days]

Thankyou for all the support and advice. I never touched a drop last night. I think I need to find something to do between 7.00 and 8.30pm. Once I get past that time then it doesn't really bother me. So tonite iam going to dye my hair.

 

[kjfeathers]

try a healthy addiction

I work at a fabric store and have learned to make quilts and clothing...I know this may sound weird, but you need to keep yourself busy like with a craft like sewing and the fabric buying and storage of your fabric stash....and all of the wonderful colors are perfect for an addiction switch...so come one over to color and texture and keeping your hands busy...and drink water while you are working. You need time alone to break this cycle. just sayin...

 

[Paul-H]

Thankyou for all the support and advice. I never touched a drop last night. I think I need to find something to do between 7.00 and 8.30pm. Once I get past that time then it doesn't really bother me. So tonite iam going to dye my hair.

Hi

You would be better not having the stuff in the house in the first place, that way the bottles will not call you from the fridge. Remove all temptation before its too late.

Alcohol especially beers and wines are full of sugars which will only make you put your weight back on, as so many post WLS drinkers have.

That's one of the reasons many WLS practitioners tell their patients not to touch alcohol for a year after bypass surgery, some get very drunk very quickly and very I'll so now not to touch the stuff again and sadly a few don't so quickly up their drinking levels.

It really is better if you can cut down though, sorry if this sounds like I am preaching, I am not, just trying to help.

Paul