Stress Center Peer Support

I realize that changes have to be made, but quitting caffeine (or the thought of doing so) literally freaks me out.
I drink 3 cokes daily, and for the past 8 years, have been taking 4 excedrins daily (for the headaches i get from stress AND for the caffeine).
I guess I'm worried about the headaches and dizziness I might get from quitting it.

Plus the fact that I'm a heavy smoker...it just seems so much to give up at once, but I know I need to. I've made so many promises to people (and to myself) that I'm stopping these vices.

Anyone else struggling with the fear of letting go of things that are bad for you?

Just do like I am doing cut it in half. Drink more water. And I hate water but I will try anything. And I use to smoke years ago I thought it calmed me down. But I had a friend die because of her smoking and I quit. It was very hard but I stuck with it. But I have learned we can do anything if we really put our mind to it. God Bless I will keep you in my prayers. Are you doing the program? It is really helping me.

Hi Linda -
yes, I'm doing the program....I'm starting it again for the 3rd time.
The 2nd time, it was doing miracles for me, then I got so better, I stopped - big mistake!

I think that after I got so much better, I got so confident that I just didn't even think of doing the exercises anymore, and then I got worse.
I actually went to China 2 times (and am going back in 2 months), and did great. In China, I didn't smoke, didn't take asprins, etc.

That makes me wonder if I have certain triggers here in my hometown...or if the problem is truly all in my head - if I'M creating the triggers. I'm not quite sure yet.

Anyway, I thank you for the reply, and for the thoughts, and I'll keep you in my thoughts as well.
Cutting in half is what I'm going to do. 2 asprins a day, 1 coke a day is fine for now.
I'll smoke the cigarettes I feel I truly need - not just the ones I want. No reason to make it so hard on myself.

(And I'm truly sorry for the loss of your friend. When she died, and you quit - did you just quit cold turkey?)