Weight Loss surgery patients, who once used food as their drug of choice, may now be turning to drugs, alcohol and cigarettes for comfort. According to a recent report in “JAMA Archives of Surgery”, patients turned to these choices post surgery in an attempt to feed their addictive behavior. The participants included 155 patients, of which 122 were women. The report provided and concluded the following:
• “Participants reported significant increases in the frequency of substance use (a composite of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, hereafter referred to as composite substance use) 24 months after surgery.”
• “Patients may be at increased risk for substance use following bariatric WLS. In particular, patients who undergo laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery may be at increased risk for alcohol use following WLS.”
Resource: http://archsurg.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1379763
The study was conducted from a Compulsive Behavior Questionnaire completed by the volunteers. Initially, the study revealed alcohol abuse was under control during the time-period directly following surgery, but increased within 24 months following surgery.
“Based on the present study, undergoing RYGB surgery appears to increase the risk for alcohol use following WLS,” the authors conclude. “Risks and benefits should be weighted when recommending LRYGB surgery to patients who may be at increased risk of developing problems with alcohol after WLS, such as those with a personal or family history of alcohol abuse or dependence.”
The part of the brain which controls binge eating disorders (BED) also controls drug/alcohol addiction, often producing the same response with food addictions. Alexis Conason, Psy.D., New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center and fellow colleagues conducted the study involving individuals who underwent weight loss surgery. One hundred of those studied received laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, with the remaining fifty-five patients receiving laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery. The baseline of the study was performed over a time span of 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post surgery.
The study revealed the “frequency” of substance consumption increased post weight loss surgery, specifically laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. However, more research may be required to determine exactly why and which factors contributed to the use.
It would seem to make sense that abusing or consuming drugs and alcohol, which can pass easily through the body, would become the substitute for their past addiction to food. The overwhelming emotional trap, for anyone who is suffering from obesity, is much greater than anyone can fathom. They feel stuck in their body, unable to engage in physical activities, while recovering and limited to the resources used in the past for comfort. It takes an enormous amount of courage for anyone to make the decision to stop the behavior and look for an answer. Part of the long term answer must include counseling/therapy. Only addressing the obesity and not the behavior never changes the future.
Quick Tips for Wellness: Before you choose surgery for your weight problem, choose to get to the root of the problem through therapy and counseling.
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