Stress Center Peer Support

Addictions have 2 components - the need for the drug and the habit of using the drug. I think the right idea is to eliminate the drug but not necessarily the habit. For example, I love coffee but the caffeine does not agree with me so I've decided to drink decaf coffee or green tea. I also love diet Coke, but I'm going to start buying the caffeine free version. I believe this will help me wean myself off the caffeine.

Debbie

This will be my sixth day without afternoon coffee-usually a grande Americano. I am still waking up with the horrible headache before I want to get up. What really surprises me is how emotional I have been feeling. I really miss my afternoon boost because it made me happy. I guess that is why it is addictive.

Thank you to everyone on this forum for keeping me from slipping. I had been doing the half caf/have decaf thing for several weeks and this week changed to all decaf. The past two mornings I've been able to drag my butt out of bed and exercise before I start my day, but not having any caffeine at all has been hard. I finished my few cups of decaf and thought I would go ahead and have a cup of real tea. As I sat here reading these posts, it hit me that I didn't want to slip so I poured out the black tea and am now sitting here waiting for my herb tea to steep.

In college, I was addicted to amphetamines. Really addicted. My excuse was that I was working three jobs and trying to go to school full time so I didn’t have time to sleep. Of course that’s crap and I was only hurting myself. I did quit cold turkey and went through hell in the process. Most importantly – I never went back to them.
Thank you to everyone who spoke to caffeine being a drug. It really is. Thank for the reminder that I can quit this too and not go back.

I have a deck of cards that was gifted to me several years ago while I was going through a very difficult time in my life called “I Can Do It” cards by Louis Hay. Each card is two sided with a positive phrase on it. I found them in a drawer over the weekend and decided to keep them at my desk for when I need a little positive boost. I started using them again how I used them before by closing my eyes and thinking a question while shuffling “What do I need to remember today? What will help me?” The card that I pulled for today says on one side (no kidding) “Water is my favorite beverage. I drink lots of water to cleanse my body and mind.” And on the other side: “I am the only person who has control over my eating habits. I can always resist something if I choose to.”

Next challenge – cookies and chocolate.

Thanks again everyone, I love having this support!

It has been hard for me as well. I have been drinking water, milk, caffeine-free diet soda, and herbal tea. No chocolate (I am having major withdrawl!). And I am watching the sugar like a hawk. I'm a little tired, but I'd rather be tired than anxious! I also have rationalized the whole thing this way - I do not need any more stimulation in my body than I already have! I miss the chocolate but I don't miss feeling anxious. It hasn't even been a week yet. I'll get over it and I'll be better for it.

Debbie

How long does the with drawl last?

I use energy drinks when I exercise or perform in public. It boosts my performance. Now, I feel like they are buring me out and my anxiety is really bad.

It makes me feel like superman but now I am a wreck.

What will happen and when will it end?

I cut down from 24 oz of diet pop to 8 oz and struggle to go without it each day, since it is everywhere. I do drink 60 to 100 oz of water a day since that is recommended. I gave up alcohol for the last three months even communion wine since I don't want it to affect the meds that I am on to help with the anxiety/ depression since it can double the effect of alcohol. As much as I have been terrified of my anxiety, I definitely want to reduce my anxiety in any way possible.

AmandaJ

Hi Joe B., I used to drink almost a full 2 liter bottle of Pepsi everyday. Today is day 4 without any Pepsi and I feel alot more energetic and positive than I have in a while. The first few days were rough though. I had bad headaches and felt muddleheaded all day. I did cut back for two weeks before quitting. I quit buying it to have at home and work and replaced it with water, vitamins, and some exercise. The only time I allowed myself Pepsi was when I went out. Everyone is different, but I think if you make a "quiting schedule" that you can live with maybe it wont be so awful. I hope this helps! D-

I am on session 2 and as of now I will have to say that I am not going to give up chocolate or coke completely, I can and will cut back but not to have it at all, I don't know, we'll see! You gotta have chocolate once in awhile

HELP!!

I wasn't able to read every post in their entirety because I was getting dizzy, but I get the gist that most people posting on this topic have quit, or are trying to quit, caffeine.

I need help! Any tips you can give me would be great, but I do know about not going cold turkey, and slowly adding decaf to my regular coffee, etc. I guess it's more emotional tips I need to help me be able to quit.

I'm not going to say that I "can't" quit, because I know I can if I want to quit badly enough. The problem is I am terrified of quitting it -- I have chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and two daughters, ages 4 and 8. Even with the caffeine I feel too tired to give them 100% attention, and of course that makes me feel guilty and depressed and irritable ... and that's just one of the reasons why I'm doing this program .

I drink coffee in the morning (about 2 cups), then switch to tea (for some reason the coffee doesn't "work" as well after those first 2 cups!). I drink tea throughout the day -- probably about 5-7 cups. I also take Adderall for ADD and for the fatigue. Adderall alone doesn't do a thing for the fatigue, and caffeine alone doesn't either -- it's the combination that helps.

I would so appreciate any tips on breaking the "emotional" component to this addiction!

I am on Lesson 8 now -- it seems to be moving too fast for me. I work with a personal coach and we talk once a week, but there are times when I would like more time to focus on a Lesson. I am taking an extra week this week, but I think I could use a month for each one!

Thanks for listening ...
Maureen

Hi momurph, there are so many post on this site, Wow I can't keep up. I am struggling with not having chocolate, I do drink decaf coffee in the morning which isn't that bad. I usually have a piece of chocolate everyday I don't know if I want to give that up, it's one of the things I look forward. this probably didn't help but right now I also am having a difficult time giving up some caffeine. Best of luck to you.