In the world we live in, one addiction can easily lead to another, and Carnie Wilson learned that the hard way.
Unbeknownst to many, the singer was not a happy-go-lucky girl when she shed 150 pounds with gastric bypass surgery seven years ago. Thinking she had overcome her addiction to food, she then turned her attention to alcohol.
Carnie said in an exclusive interview with Oprah that her life fell into a deep descent when she found herself struggling with alcoholism two years after her surgery.
She explained, "The drinking progressed more and more and I found I was getting drunk very fast and I was getting sober very fast and it was frightening because I saw myself going down a dark spiral very quickly."
The 38-year-old admits she was drinking up to 10 margaritas a day and had to eventually hit rock bottom before she could start climbing back up again.
Wanting to start a family with her husband Rob Bonfiglio, and not put her child at risk, is what ultimately made the star turn her life around.
Bonfiglio explained, "We really wanted to start a family and we were five years into our marriage at that point and she was really kind of in the whole alcoholism stage and I said, 'You're either gonna sober up and be sober for a little while before we start trying to have a baby, or I don't really see us going anywhere. What's the point?'"
The former Wilson Philips singer says that was her wake up call and has been sober ever since. She says sobriety has made her want to be the best mom for her young daughter. So far, so good, Carnie.
October 2, 2009 - 10:16PM - Sheri
I had gastric bypass about 7 years ago. I am now an alcoholic. Not because I'm looking for something to take the place of food, but because I actually crave it so bad that I can't stand it. I know I have an addictive personality, but alcohol is not just something I'm substituting for something to "fill the void". I have never had a craving for alcohol in my life until I had the surgery. I am so upset about this and AA doesn't help. I am not one of these people that does it to forget something or to ease the pain of something. I have been dealing with this since my surgery, and I'm getting better at it, but I still have a problem. No one understands, including my family, and thinks I do this because it makes me feel better. I HATE IT! I feel so much worse the next day that I can't stand it. I wish someone would help me to deal with this.
Why did I start CRAVING alcohol?, and feel like I would die if I didn't get it?
I don't want to drink, but it's like something else takes over my body and I just have to.
If you feel this way - you are not alone - like I feel that I am.
January 17, 2010 - 10:11AM - Mary
Dear Sheri,
You are not alone. I had my gastric bypass in 2002 and was well on my way to alcoholism by 2005. I was on the episode of Oprah with Carnie Wilson. I am "Linda" from the Suddenly Skinny episode.
I pretended I had things under control when I was on the show, that the worst was behind me. But it got so much worse. I totally understand your craving for alcohol. I was also someone who drank to escape, to not feel things, to forget what hurts. But it is a very temporary fix to feelings you still have to face when you sober up.
In five short years, I went from never drinking alchol to a raging alcoholic. I managed to get 2 DUI's,a Drunk in Public, lose my job, my family, and my home. I did 4 outpatient treatments, one inpatient treatment, lived in a halfway house for three and a half months, was in jail for a total of 7 days and had three psychiatric admissions. AA works if you give yourself to the program. Step one is the only one you must do perfectly every day, and that is Admit you are powerless over alcohol and your life has become unmanageable. No one who is a real alcoholic can argue that point. I went in and out of AA many times over a the last few years. I felt like I just couldn't get it. Here is what you have to do. You have to physically stop craving alcohol, and there is no way to do that but abstain. If you have to stay with someone for a week to stay clean for a week, then do it. When you start to feel physically better by getting all the booze out of your system you will feel stronger and have more will to resist the psychological cravings. On Feb 1st I will have one year of sobriety. I am working as a nurse again, living in a nice place and seeing my kids regularly. I have a wonderful man in my life and I am starting to have some money again to begin paying off my debts. Life only gets worse when booze is added. Booze makes everything worse, not better. You will always have an unmanageable life if that life is governed by your next drink. Try to keep in mind how bad you feel, both physically and psychologically, the next day. You say you can't stand it. Think of that before you take your next drink. Ask yourself Is this worth how bad I am going to feel later? Tomorrow? How much more can I afford to lose? Because anything and everything you put in front of your sobriety you will lose. Guaranteed. I am living proof of that. But I am also living proof of the promises coming true, sometimes quickly sometimes slowly, but I am gaining my life back. And you can too! You just might need some help. I am here if you want to start up a dialogue. I will pray for your strength and success.
February 6, 2010 - 10:15PM - Neen
I am four years post op. I have been drinking consistantly for the past to years and it has now become an addiction.
Going to AA. I am wondering if you know if there is a AA meeting for GB patients?
I'm in NYC.
