ABSTRACT
Objective
To discuss, based on the report of a case of alcoholism that started after surgical treatment of morbid obesity, the idea of the “transfer of compulsion”. According to this theory, obese people subjected to bariatric surgery tend to transfer their “compulsion” from food to alcohol or other drugs, increasing the risk of developing substance-related disorders. Evidence that hedonic feeding behavior (described as overeating of palatable foods in the absence of hunger) is regulated by the same brain systems involved in alcoholism, allied to anecdotal reports of alcoholism after bariatric surgery, serve to support this hypothesis.
Methods
Single case report. Patient agreed with the publication of the case report and signed the Informed Consent Form.
Results
25 year-old male, with no history of alcohol abuse, developed heavy drinking habits four years after bariatric surgery. There was family history of substance-related disorders.
Conclusion
Bariatric surgery (particularly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) may alter ethanol metabolism and implicate changes in life style and stress levels. Put together, these factors can contribute to the development of harmful alcohol consumption patterns that need to be considered in contrast with the great benefits that surgical correction of obesity brings to several areas of patient’s life. Detecting risk factors for alcohol abuse and dependency, such as positive family history, is essential to identify patients who will need greater pre-operative counselling and careful post-operative follow-up.
Obesity; obesity; morbid; bariatric surgery; alcoholism; alcohol-induced disorders