CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Friday, June 14th, 2013 - 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
MENTAL HEALTH
Chair: Dr. Valerie Taylor, MD, FRCPC
Quebec Room

2:00 pm
Alcohol and Obesity Surgery: The Before and After Story

Bariatric surgery is associated with a myriad of psychosocial issues both pre- and post-surgery. Substance use, namely alcohol, and concerns of “cross addiction” have been reported anecdotally. Emerging evidence has improved our understanding of alcohol use disorders before and after obesity surgery. Studies have demonstrated increased sensitivity to alcohol. In addition, prospective studies have identified trends of alcohol use beyond the first year after surgery. The following presentation will provide a synthesis of new literature enhancing our understanding of alcohol use and the risk post-bariatric surgery. Data on prevalence rates of alcohol use disorders in comparison to other substance use disorders will be summarized. The presentation will highlight risk factors for alcohol use disorders post-surgery and potential strategies for mitigating these alcohol use risks.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the impact of bariatric surgery on alcohol use problems
  2. Contrast trends for alcohol use and other substance use following obesity surgery
  3. Identify risk factors and treatment approaches for alcohol use problems following obesity surgery

Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, MD, FRCPC

Director, Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Surgery Psychosocial Program
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam is the Director of the Bariatric Surgery Psychosocial Program at the Toronto Western Hospital. He is a staff psychiatrist in the Medical and Surgical Psychiatry Program at the University Health Network (UHN) and an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Sockalingam has over 40 peer-reviewed publications including several publications in the psychosocial domains of bariatric surgery. His current research interests include examination of psychosocial predictors of outcomes and adherence post-bariatric surgery and the efficacy of psychosocial interventions on post-surgery outcomes.