Bariatric surgery and alcohol and substance use: A case-control survey study

Studies suggest alcohol and/or other substance misuse may develop after bariatric surgery (BS), but findings are not consistent or conclusive. This cross-sectional online survey investigated alcohol and other substance use, via a modified version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, before and after bariatric surgery, compared to a non-bariatric surgery sample. Data were anonymously collected via Qualtrics from adults who reported alcohol or substance use (BS, n = 328; non-BS, n = 292). Problematic alcohol, opioid, amphetamine, and cannabis use were reduced post-surgery compared to pre-surgery. After surgery, participants expressed “guilt” associated with alcohol and other substance use (average 0.24 and 0.31 points higher, respectively) compared to pre-surgery. Compared to controls, the bariatric surgery group reported on average 1.99 points less problematic nicotine use pre-surgery (p = .012) and 2.42 points less post-surgery (p = .004). In contrast, compared to people without any history of bariatric surgery, the bariatric surgery group reported greater problematic use of alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens, and/or inhalants pre-surgery (all p