Normal to gain weight at first especially if also just quit drinking?

Would probably need to know a bit more about habits, before and after, length of time.

Especially length of time and esp when you throw the binge thing in the mix

Only you know what you have been doing in the middle of the night! And it's not that stuff does not happen with many of us on MFP 🤷‍♂️: I hit 1500 Cal of fast food between 2 and 4 am today. 500 was necessary. The rest ...

But with your description of the past few months I would certainly consider a visit to a doctor if there was any doubt in my mind that my weight change was directly caused and fully explained by what I had been consuming

Because as we age and stress our bodies, 💩 sometimes happens and either ruling 💩 out or tackling it as soon as practical tends to be better than not doing so!🤷‍♂️

If you were drinking a lot (I assume we're talking alcohol), you could have been chronically dehydrated, and may have some water weight gain. I wouldn't expect this to mask a calorie deficit for more than a week or two, although of course that depends on the size of your calories deficit. Also, if you were getting many of your calories from alcohol before and are now consuming more actual food, that has weight as it transits your digestive system.

You say you've altered your eating habits, but you don't say how, and you don't say if you're measuring and tracking your calorie consumption (preferably using a food scale), so there's no way for us to say if it's "normal."

For "coping," my general suggestion would be to find other things that distract you and maybe give you a boost of "good feelings." For a lot of people, exercise can do that (doesn't necessarily have to be strenuous -- you could start with walking). Reading, meditating, working on a hobby, spending time with friends or family are all options.

I lost 10 lbs from quitting drinking.. but wine was my drink and two bottles of that and whatever I could put in my mouth was a big change from just regular eating or a bit extra now and then.. my sister was a much heavier drinker for many more years with no quitting.. and she went to treatment.. and yes, she gained a lot of weight.. she became depressed and felt she had nothing to cope except delivery services. We all have different ways, it’s a good sign you’re here!!! You have hope! Keep mindful! Stay the course. Think health…