Other Addictions

[revenant]

I'm wondering if anybody is struggling with something similar.

Technically, we've all practiced addiction since childhood. Since going gluten free I've been turning to alcohol daily to replace that feeling of 'losing yourself', if you know what I mean. I don't know how to break this. And I don't think it's a healthy habit, especially at 17 years old. It hasn't gotten very bad, basically I'm just drinking at night. It is the reason WHY, I am turning to alcohol, that freaks me out. Simply because I cannot go sober even for a day, and gluten used to do it for me I suppose, without me realizing it.

Do you think this is temporary? Or that it may fade as I get farther away from my withdrawal/cravings?

Hearing about anybody else's struggles with reliance on a substance would greatly help me. Thanks

[rockectman]

Unless you are drinking gluten free beer, your still being glutenated. There are not many gluten-free beers out there, redbridge by anheiser busch is popular.

[kareng]

Ok Kiddo... Where are you getting the alcohol? For my info as a mom of 2 boys 17 & 14.

I never felt a huge need to replace gluten as I never loved bread, donuts, etc. But for the first few weeks I did get a headache. I found that dark chocolate helped that. You can get Dove dark chocolate most places. Take little bites and let it melt in your mouth. There is something in chocolate that acts on our happy part of our brain.

Another thing is,- you may just need something to relax you and focus on enjoying. The chocolate works. You could try hot cocoa, decaf coffee with a flavored gluten-free creamer, hot cider, a bowl of Rice Chex. Put fruit juice in a wine glass or other fancy glass and sip.

Another thing to dooms keep busy and make your self tired. This could be exercising or working on a craft or chore or hobby that keeps you interested and busy until you are tired and just go to bed.

The problem with alcohol at your age is that it is much more addicting. Your brain isn't grown completely until your early 20s.

[revenant]

rockect, usually it's wine. Lately cointreau. Normally wine. Other than sulfites, which I know I am sensitive to, I don't think any of these two things have gluten.

Karen, my mom is a regular drinker. She leaves bottles out at night before she goes to bed. Make sure to put those bottles away

I'm also lactose =[ so unless I find lactose free chocolate... which DOES exist...

"You may just need something to relax you and focus on enjoying" Hmmm I dearly hope this is the case. The apple cider idea is WONDERFUL. I think I'm going to run out to the store and pick up some apple juice right now.

The exercise thing is another very, very good idea. I'm going to try both of these things tomorrow, and tell you how it goes.

[ravenwoodglass]

Talk to your Mom and get her to put those bottles away. However it is your choice to pour yourself a glass from them. You are strong enough not to do it. If you feel this is a real problem for you do contact Alateen. You also might want to talk to your doctor or if you go to a church talk to your pastor or priest. You do not want to become an alcoholic at your age. Celiac can impact liver function and at your age the liver can be damaged much more quickly than an adults. I unfortuately have way to much experience with this. My twin brother had autoimmune liver destruction and started drinking young. His liver was destroyed by the time he was 15. The outcome of that is in my signature. Please do address this issues now don't wait. It is not a sign of weakness to seek help with an addiction it is a sign of strength. Reach out to someone as it may save your life.

[MelindaLee]

You need to look at this seriously. I never felt the need to drink once going gluten-free. Not only is celiacs genetic, so are addictions. It sounds like perhaps you mom might struggle with that, and therefore you are very prone to follow in the same footsteps. There are plenty of stressors from having to alter your diet and these could trigger feelings of having to use other things to compensate for all that we have lost. Please seek out professional help. I am very worried for your need to drink every day right now. My boys are around your age. Though I understand that experimentation is natural, it does sound like your use is not falling into this category. PLEASE

[Skylark]

Revenant, if your mom is a regular drinker you may have genetic tendencies to alcoholism. Going off gluten and losing the fog from gluten may have triggered it. I have two friends who got absolutely amazing help from Alcoholics Anonymous. As Raven mentions, Alateen is the teenage specific group but you can go to general AA meetings too if you need. There are some really good AA chapters and they have a lot of tips and tricks for beating addictive behaviors. I don't know what your transportation situation is like, but you might find a lot of help if you can get to an AA meeting. (Drag your mom too!)

[Lexi]

My hardest time is when my family goes out to dinner. We all used to look forward to getting that warm bread on our table. I refuse to make my family go without the delicious bread, so I always seem to over do it with drinks while they are eating it. I do the same thing at family social events. I am always sad that I can't have the food they are all eating, so the only thing that makes me feel better is "cocktails"! I don't do it that often, so I think it's ok. Going gluten free was really HARD on me at first - I was depressed all the time, but it DOES get easier and better with time. Don't ruin your life with such a nasty addiction at such a young age!!!!