Alcoholism Support Group

Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.

4,518 Members
34,168 Posts
0 Online
Addiction & Recovery
/ Alcoholism Support Group

Gastric Bypass and Alcoholism

Godisatwork
Godisatwork

I never had a problem with drinking, then in 2002 I had a gastric bypass, probably a year after the surgery I started having a glass of wine now and then, then in 2006 I got somewhat out of control, having times when I was drinking too much.  I married in 2007 and was drinking probably 2 glasses of wine a day, soon after the marrige I found out my husband was addicted to opiates, was lying and stealing from me.  This went on for six years as I declined right along side him, to the point where I finally divorced him in 2013.  However, since that date, it's been a rocky road, I'm not over him and we have tried to get back together several times.  He recovered and I've gotten worse, I've always had to take care of him and he's not been able to take care of me, bad credit, bad money management and etc.  I just usually feel used and leave.  In the last three years I had a serious injury due to my drinking, this injury left permanent nerve damage in my arm and hand.  Still I have not learned, this week I fell asleep in a chair and fell out and injuried the same arm and then vomited and was sick the entire next day, but I stlll drank that evening.  My drinking is out if control and I can't tell my boss - I'm an executive and it would be frowned upon if they knew I had a drinking problem.  I'm trying to make a plan to stop drinking - I drank 5 nights out of the last 10 nights; I want to stop entirely ... I'm going to try prayer and look for support on line, I've also got a good book written with Jack Canfield called "30 days to Sobriety" and it has a website to work through as well.  Wish me luck and send prayers please.

Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine
It' s always good to have a plan but don't get discouraged it it doesn't seem to be working. Should that happen.... try something else! There are lots of ways to get sober and lots of people willing to help you but you can't be afraid to ask.

I never had a plan to get sober but God had a plan for me, it seems. It began with a big fight I had with my wife....long story short, the cop took me to detox instead of jail. That was the first miracle that happened. I went from detox, through 3 weeks of outpatient treatment, and through 3 months of counseling, Through all the treatment I had, regular attendance at AA meetings were mandatory. I had a sponsor who was available to me 24/7 and he became my lifeline when my new sobriety was still in a fragile state.

When I knew the police were on the way, I said a prayer. I basicly told God, "I give up!....It's your turn to take control of my life! I just ...can't... do this anymore!" That seemed to be the defining moment when things began to change and my life gradually got better from that point on.
That was 10 years ago. Today I have a great life, and have never been happier.
Good luck on your road to recovery and may you find peace and happiness along the way. Keep us posted. The path you take may help someone else!

God Bless
1is2many
1is2many
I had to find a replacement for the alcohol. See booze was that feel good at the end of a long stressful day. I was addicted. Alcohol is a drug. Period. Highly addictive and sold on every street corner. It’s a quick fix to all that was wrong. Problem was I just had to keep drinking more and more. Until I too ended up hurting myself. I finally decided to get help, as I never had asked for help before. I was just not one to admit I had faults and needed help. That is the addiction of booze. It’s a cure all. Except it is in reality just a fog that hides the rocky shore and I am so glad I didn’t drink today. It took awhile of hard work but today I don’t take the liquid drug.

1is2many
Godisatwork
Godisatwork
Thanks for sharing; I didn't drink today either; I guess it's one day at a time and a real desire to put this addiction in God's hands. I wish I could go to a rehab but then the cat would be out of the bag and because of my age and etc., I could lose my job. I'm looking at alternative ways to deal with this myself. i'm glad I found this site.
stepone
stepone
Good stuff said already. I would add that I had to become desperate enough to do anything to get sober. I put sobriety above all else including my job and family because I was gonna lose both if I didn’t. I told my boss I needed to go to treatment and he was extremely supportive. It also put him on notice that my recovery may take me away from the office from time to time so I don’t have to lie to him. You might be surprised by your boss as well.
Godisatwork
Godisatwork
As an Officer and with our HR policy, our community image and appearance matters, in a mostly male work force who I see drink plenty themselves, I feel I would be judged. I''m fortunate that to date I have not injured myself worse that I have and others; I'm lucky I've never been stopped for a DUI. I'm 60 and they are looking for younger recruits, this would be the perfect reason to terminate me. There have been cases of public drunkenness that I'm fortunate has not gotten back to my superiors; I'm not sure anyone would want to deal with me. I'm great at what I do and am very knowledgable,, but my work has suffered and I'm a high producer. My sobriety will keep my job, my family and my respect. I'm praying that in God's hand he can hekp me through this. God Bless you all as well
seaQ
seaQ
One of my biggest problems is that I after I quit for awhile, I think that Now I can be a moderate drinker. But this time I am committed to accepting that I can not do that. I am glad I found this site; and someone here told me about an app that really helps me, also. I Am Sober is my secret that no one knows about, and I like it that way. So I understand where you are coming from in your secrecy. I haven't been to AA but I'm lucky to have a good friend who does go to AA, who is very supportive. It helps to have support; so I hope you have at least 1 person to help you in your quest to quit drinking. But if you really want to stop, you can do it! Good luck... we're all in this together.
Godisatwork
Godisatwork
Thank you so much SeaQ; I'm also using the book by Jack Canfield and Dave Andrews "30 Day Sobriety Solution' - it goes through 30 days of practices to stop drinking including meditation and etc. He has a companion website to go over the daily task and motivational exercises. I haven't made it past day seven so I'm back on page two again, but it is a great book with positive affirmations. I hope to make it to the 30 days and through this informative book. I downloaded the book into my Kindle App from Amazon.
stepone
stepone
I understand and will be praying for you. Perhaps it’s best for you not to tell your boss. Part of my story, however, is that I have learned people are generally good and don’t want to see us die from this. We judge ourselves way harsher than others do. I’m glad I’ve made others a part of my recovery. Our relationships are much more reciprocal when it used to be all about me.
timoA
timoA
What helped me snap out of it and gain control was realizing the damage done by alcohol. It's not just my life, it's the cost of my actions as well. The cost will affect my finances (America charges a crap load for medical attention especially for any mental and physical damages up ahead from alcohol). It will also cost me any chance of having a decent life in the future as well as my relationships with friends (as crazy as it sounds, my immediate/extended family are alcoholics so I can't count on them). Personally, as a single person, alcohol would cost me my chances of finding the right person.

In a nutshell, I cant afford the cost of alcohol in the end

I hope this aspect works for you as well.
Godisatwork
Godisatwork
Thank you, I'm very concerned about my health as well and hope that the last 15 years of drinking have not hurt me. With a Gastric Bypass and no gallbladder my odds increase with stomach issues. I am buying a new home right now so I need a job and I need to find a happier place, thanks for sharing and best with your continued success.
Community Leaderbobinmaine
bobinmaine
It might be a good idea to have a talk with your doctor. If there is any damage then a simple blood test will give you information that might further motivate you to stay sober. Just a suggestion but good luck...we are all on your side and praying for you!

God Bless
Godisatwork
Godisatwork
Thank you for the support and advice, I am having blood work tomorrow, I have blood work every 6 months because of my bypass, the last blood test showed some enzymes had elevated in my liver but nothing to worry about the doctor said, she attributed it to other medications I was on not knowing I've been drinking heavier than she thinks. I'm having blood work tomorrow, I had planned on it today, but it got too crazy at work. Then tonight I find out my daughter has been ordered to court for mediation for joint custody of her 14 month old son. I didn't need this news, the father is not safe with my grandson and has damaged the two children he already has that are adults. I almost went for some wine, I've been fighting and praying all evening and it looks like I'm going to make it through day three.
1is2many
1is2many
My liver enzyme GGT level were 155. Normal was 0-55 I not able to filter out the enzymes and was digesting myself. So what did I do when I found out this , went to the bar of course. Because that was how I coped. I finally quit a couple months later this site was a big help but si couldn’t learn what I didn’t know. I needed help from others who had been there done that. Can’t lift yourself up by your bootstraps. It’s impossible I have found.
1is2many
Godisatwork
Godisatwork
I've been drinking the last two days after only four days of sobriety, back on the wagon again tonight. I see a counselor on Monday, I'm having a hard time, everyone I know drinks and socializes, I'm single and alone enough, this is hard. I'm tired of getting drunk and making an ass of myself, I met a person recently that told me he drank heavy for years and then one morning he got up and said this is enough, I wish it was that easy for me.
1is2many
1is2many
I woke up on June 10 and was going to either go drink myself to death, I thought that sounded like a reasonable idea... or a small thought came into my mind... go to aa. When the sun was setting I walked into a room of other alcoholics. I found new friends that wanted me to succeed. I found a way to be sober and happy

Imagine life with no chains. It’s possible

1-2
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • billwfriend

    great tasty results of smoking St Louis style ribs

    Posted by: billwfriend
    Last Reply: billwfriend
    6
    check out that smoke ring. It tasted really good. I smothered it with Maulls BBQ sauce which is Local to St. Louis and one of the best I ever had.....
  • Albatross

    Loneliness is part of my identity now

    Posted by: Albatross
    Last Reply: hasty_05
    6
     I was recently separated from my wife of 33 years and it's complicated. Anyway I rented a room about 15 minutes away and I see my kids about once a week. I see the people who own the house I live in once in a while but other than that I stay in my room where I do my cooking, wash dishes in the shower, read, color, and sleep. I get out at least once a day. I grocery shop and I attend 2 meetings...