Bariatric surgery can lead to alcohol addiction, according to a new University of Pittsburgh study.
    
The surgery has become increasingly common in the fight against severe obesity in the United States. But the study shows the surgery may leave patients more at risk of developing an alcohol problem.

Researchers found that two years after having the procedure, 11 percent of those studies developed drinking problems.

Scientists explained that because the size of the patient's stomach is reduced, alcohol is able to absorb into the bloodstream quicker.

Consequenlt, patients no longer have the alcohol tolerance they did before the surgery and the higher absorption rate makes alcohol more addictive.

The study of nearly 2,000 patients, published Monday Journal of the American Medical Association.