[tajk]

I stopped doing drugs 9 years ago. I was still drinking until about 5 years ago. I then started to spend and watch TV . I got the cable cut off and gave my credit cards and bank card to my husband. Now I am eating all the time. I have gained 50 pounds my butt is huge and (well I would keep the new boobs lol) I am also beginning to feel the compulsion to go online. I even get a release (sorry don't know all the labels for everything) when I post on this site. I have never tried gambling I am to scared to. What do I do? How do I stop the behavior and not just switch from one thing to another. I have even quit biking which I love because I am getting to fat for it. PLEASE HELP.

[Raynaadi]

There is a recovery program for this called Overeaters Anonymous. Its for any kind of eating disorder, which in my opinion is an addiction. Any compulsive behavior cane be an addiction. Do you have a therapist or support system that can help? I'm part of a 12 step program for my alcoholism and the support is such a huge part of my recovery.

[splitimage]

I agree with Rayna's suggestion about overeater's anonymous. I can also relate to trading one addiction for another. Have you thought about getting a IRL therapist to talk to about the undrlying issues that you're trying to escape from, through different addictions.

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[tajk]

I come from a family where you don't talk about what is wrong. This is very new to me. I am also bipolar which is referred to as my thing. I have to hide the meds when we go to family functions and pretend to have to go to the bathroom to take them. The only family members that know about my issues are my mum, dad, husband, and brother I am forbidden to tell any other family. Sorry what is my point you ask. I have no idea what anything is. So I don't know what a IRL therapist is could someone tell me.

[splitimage]

IRL just stands for in real life, ie not cyber, and a therapist is someone who will do talk therapy with you to help you figure stuff out. if you're on meds for bipolar, you're probably already seeing a psychiatrist right? They could reccommend a therapist to you. There are all kinds, psychologists are great, they go through extensife formal training and are licenced, but they can be expensive if your insurance doesn't cover them. Some social workers are therapists, and so are some addictions councillors. The reason I suggested a therapist was because I drank to numb out my emotions and when I stopped drinking I needed help learning to deal with my feelings and loneliness. My psychologist does that.

'Good luck.

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[chalmette70043]

Tajk. Hi nice to meet you. We got a few things in common. For one, the big butt. I got my big butt from gaining weight on all these meds. And i love riding my bike. I have myself a purple beach crusier with a little white basket. I put my little puppy bayou in the basket and you'd swear he thought he was riding a Harley.

I have a few addictions myself. Alcohol and drugs top the list. I could easily get hooked into gambling, but like you. i stay clear away from it. If someone does talk me into going which is once every few years. Its the penny slots for me.

Growing up in my family, we didnt talk about our problems. It was all hush hush. Now that i'm 36, i'm learning to talk about things. Oops, imean 37. Well, ya know, i really feel like 21. Anyway, i started seeing a counsler a few months back and she's trying her darndest to get me to talk about what i've kept bottled up for all these years. She hasnt broke me down yet. I guess i'm just not ready to go there with her yet. But, i've made some very good friends here at pc and i've been able to let them in some of the way.

I hope pc helps you out like it has for me. All the people here in the substance forum are killa. They got it going on. Rayna has a Recovery chat on tuesday nights in the chat room. A bunch of us are there every week. Maybe if you get the chance you can stop by and check it out. We'd love to see you.

well, you take it easy and keep posting here.

chalmette

[DePressMe]

tajk, we have so much in common!!!! Trading one addiction for another happened with me too. When I quit crack, I started drinking, when I quit drinking, I started smoking...it goes on. I also struggle with impulsive spending and I have had an eating disorder since I was a teen. I have found a lot of help in our eating disorder forum here on PC--you might want to check it out. It is alway nice to know that there are others going through the same thing as you are.

As for the eating--a few months ago I finished a 23 month long diet. I dropped 40 lbs! I tell you this because I want you to have hope that things can get better.

The most import thing for me, concerning the weight was to set small goals for myself. I had weekly goals and monthly goals. I allowed myself one dinner and one breakfast a week where I could eat anything I wanted. That made me feel as if I was not totally denying myself the good things. Boy, did I look forward to those things!

As for the spending, I live alone so I can't hand over the finances to anyone. I try to keep things under control. I allow myself one splurge a month. I think about what I am going to splurge on for the month--sometimes it is a couple books or a pair of pants or something like that. It helps me to feel like I am not completely eliminating my "feel good" spending.

[altonwoodsdrphil]

you sound rather familiar...sort of like myself, I have what some people describe as an "addictive personality" which means that we latch onto things readily when we have a notion that they or it will fill our "inner void". I have found a better way...instead of trying to stick a round peg into a square hole I just quit all of the "wanna-be's" and went for the "real deal" God! If there's a downside, I have'nt found it... no hangovers, no std's, no regrets, no empty feeling or need for constant re-supply (like a bottomless cup) why? because its LOVE you are after, God is love, and he loves YOU! why not let him?

[tajk]

I am crying a little reading this. (I am a bit of a tomboy so I don't cry that often) No one has ever said that they understand me or that they are like me. It is a bit of a weird experience actually. therapist actually said I was finished with him once the bipolar thing was figured out. My mum doesn't want me to talk to my pastor because he would then know about my issues. Thanks again for making me feel not alone and not a freak for the first time in 29 years.

[January]

((((((((( tajk ))))))))))

You are not a freak and you are definately not alone.

Hugs,

Jan

[chalmette70043]

(((((((tajk)))))))))))

It's okay to cry. Here is my shoulder to lean on and cry. I been doing alot of crying lately myself. And i grew up a tomboy too.

You take care of you. Pm me if you'd like.

chalmette

[StarPonysMama]

((((((altonwoodsdrphil)))))) -Great Words!

When I was 22, I weighed 210 LBS give or take on a 5'4" frame. I now weigh 148 LBS on a 5'4" frame. 4 of those LBS lost I can contribute to not drinking.

Research, Research, Research. Throw yourself into learning. Not saying it's the right way for you but - it worked for me so you can give it a try.

Addictive personality - I have one but, I also believe there are good addictions and bad. Research diets, find what works for you, find it as your new addiction - "to control your weight with a healthy lifestyle". It may work and may not......but its worth a shot.

Just my 2 cents.

Know that you are not alone. We all trade one addiction for another. But, one thing at a time...........you can do this!!!!!!!!

Hugs & Strength coming straight from me to you!

[splitimage]

tajk,

You are definitely not a freak and definitely not alone. We're all here to help each other.

splitimage