Anyone on here successfully quit caffeine addiction?!
Question: Anyone on here successfully quit caffeine addiction!?
I have been having caffeine for so many years and I know that it sucks, and want to quit!. It raises my blood pressure and makes me angry!. I have a hard time weaning myself off, thinking of going cold turkey!? Any thoughts!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
1!. Write down your reasons for quitting, such as:
* Increasing hypertension risks
* keeps the liver busy from filtering other toxins
* tooth decay
* weakened bones
* addiction/dependence
* causes anxiety
* a cycle of hyperactivity and/or inability to focus, followed by a subsequent "crash"
* disrupted sleep habits
* may interfere with weight loss and has been linked to hypoglycemia
* buying coffee products may fund inhumane labor overseas
* financial costs to support caffeine purchases
* has been linked to affecting learning behavior (unknown if positive or negative yet)
* a desire for a healthier pregnancy
* decreased libido or sexual performance
Put this list somewhere that you can see it regularly, like on your mirror or work desk (or both)!. It will help keep you motivated!.
2!. Realize that quitting will require a significant effort on your part!. Erase any idea in your mind that quitting caffeine will be easy, or else you'll be in for a big surprise!. Expect it to be one of the most difficult things in the world, and you'll be ready to give it your greatest effort!.
3!. Prepare for the withdrawal symptoms, which can begin within hours of your last caffeine fix, and may last for up to two weeks:
* headache
* fatigue
* difficulty concentrating
* poor motor skills
* flu-like symptoms
4!. Introduce green tea back into your routine!. Green tea contains mild traces of caffeine - not nearly enough to create any kind of addiction like regular tea or coffee - and this will soften the blow of any remaining foggy-headedness!.
5!. Sit down and calculate how much time and money you actually spend on caffeine!. Think of other things you could do with that time and money!. Buy and read the newspaper!? Pursue a hobby!? Save money for an iPod!? Start a trust fund for a child you love!? Find something that's exciting and fulfilling, and think of it as your reward!.
6!. Don't go at it alone!. Find someone to quit with you!. If you can't find that kind of support, promise to someone whom you love and respect that you will quit caffeine!. Thus, consuming caffeine in any form will make you break your promise, and this will provide you with another incentive to stay on the wagon!.
7!. Reduce your intake gradually!.
* You can set a schedule for yourself, such as "3 cups a day in the first week; 2 cups a day in the second week; 1 cup a day in third week; and none in the fourth week!." Start replacing your caffeinated beverages with the decaf versions!. Consider switching slowly to water as a substitute!.
* Allocate your caffeine money in the beginning of the week, so that if you over-consume it in the beginning of the week, you will have nothing to fall back onto in the end of the week!. If you allocate less and less caffeine money as you go on, you will gradually reduce your intake!.
* Set aside one day - possibly a Sunday - when you are not on the go for a detox day!. Make sure on the day you have chosen to detox you have no pressing commitments or tasks!.
Tips
* Different people use different ways of quitting!. What works for one person may not work for another!. Try these steps in any order to see what works best for you!.
* Kicking it in one clear cut may work well for some, even with the symptoms!. Feeling the headache and fatigue can actually demonstrate just what the caffeine is doing to your system!. It does also give some an important sense of accomplishment - since some people may not notice the difference when giving it up gradually!.
* There is no question that the withdrawal is tough, it is very tough, but cold turkey is the best way to go!. Start on a Thursday because the third and fourth days are the worst!. You do not want to be at work while you are in the worst phase!. The clarity you will sense when you are cleared out is unbelievable!. You will feel like you had forgotten how lucid the human mind is!. It is TOTALLY WORTH QUITTING!!!
* DRINK LOTS OF WATER, LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER!. Get yourself a replacement drink, it could be water, carbonated water, juice, decaf - just something to get when the urge for a cup sneaks in!.
* "Postum" is very similar to coffee, but without any caffeine!. Try it!. You might like it!. Hot Carob is another good choice (somewhat like cocoa)!.
* Ginseng root is a great herbal alternative to caffeine, and pills of it can be found at health food stores!. It is a natural alternative for your energy needs!
* As an alternative to quitting gradually, you could just go cold turkey!. This is harder, but often more effective!. If doing this, increase your water intake drastically, it will often help reduce the headaches!. The big problem with "cutting down" is that it makes you really look forward to your daily ration!. A great mindset to be in when you're quitting something is to look upon it as a happy experience, not a painful one that you want to postpone for as long as possible!.
* Another thing to try: The first week, drink your coffee as you normally would!. The second week, when you make your coffee, use 3/4 regular and 1/4 decaf!. The third week, use 1/2 and 1/2!. The fourth week, use 1/4 regular and 3/4 decaf!. The fifth week, you're drinking decaf!
* Use your strength to fight your weakness!. One example is that if you are competitive, find someone just as competitive with you to compete with to see who can stay off of coffee the longest!.
* If you wish to reintroduce caffeine into your diet on a non-addicted basis limit yourself to one cup of tea or coffee per day, preferably in the morning and no later than early afternoon!. Caffeine addiction is often born out of habit, so therefore don't slip back into the habit of reaching for a tea, coffee or diet coke whenever you feel like it!.
Warnings
* There is caffeine in lots of drinks, not just the dark ones like coffee and cola!. Stay clear of energy drinks and be careful with tea!. You should make a habit of checking out the ingredients of what you eat and drink so you don't sabotage your efforts!.
* Chocolate and other cocoa derivatives contain caffeine!. If you're serious about getting off of stimulants, you may consider quitting chocolate as well!. Caffeine concentration is directly related to the darkness of the chocolate!. For instance, a milk-chocolate bar will have much less caffeine than a dark chocolate bar!.
* With headaches being the most common (and severe) symptom, watch out for caffeine laced headache remedies, such as Excedrin!. Interestingly, caffeine is an ingredient in many of the most frequently used prescription headache medications!.
* Decaffeinated coffee does contain a minimal level of caffeine!. While it may serve as a stepping stone, do realize that continuing to consume decaffeinated coffee does not constitute quitting caffeine!. If you enjoy hot drinks, look instead for no caffeine products such as herbal teas or even soups!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
* Increasing hypertension risks
* keeps the liver busy from filtering other toxins
* tooth decay
* weakened bones
* addiction/dependence
* causes anxiety
* a cycle of hyperactivity and/or inability to focus, followed by a subsequent "crash"
* disrupted sleep habits
* may interfere with weight loss and has been linked to hypoglycemia
* buying coffee products may fund inhumane labor overseas
* financial costs to support caffeine purchases
* has been linked to affecting learning behavior (unknown if positive or negative yet)
* a desire for a healthier pregnancy
* decreased libido or sexual performance
Put this list somewhere that you can see it regularly, like on your mirror or work desk (or both)!. It will help keep you motivated!.
2!. Realize that quitting will require a significant effort on your part!. Erase any idea in your mind that quitting caffeine will be easy, or else you'll be in for a big surprise!. Expect it to be one of the most difficult things in the world, and you'll be ready to give it your greatest effort!.
3!. Prepare for the withdrawal symptoms, which can begin within hours of your last caffeine fix, and may last for up to two weeks:
* headache
* fatigue
* difficulty concentrating
* poor motor skills
* flu-like symptoms
4!. Introduce green tea back into your routine!. Green tea contains mild traces of caffeine - not nearly enough to create any kind of addiction like regular tea or coffee - and this will soften the blow of any remaining foggy-headedness!.
5!. Sit down and calculate how much time and money you actually spend on caffeine!. Think of other things you could do with that time and money!. Buy and read the newspaper!? Pursue a hobby!? Save money for an iPod!? Start a trust fund for a child you love!? Find something that's exciting and fulfilling, and think of it as your reward!.
6!. Don't go at it alone!. Find someone to quit with you!. If you can't find that kind of support, promise to someone whom you love and respect that you will quit caffeine!. Thus, consuming caffeine in any form will make you break your promise, and this will provide you with another incentive to stay on the wagon!.
7!. Reduce your intake gradually!.
* You can set a schedule for yourself, such as "3 cups a day in the first week; 2 cups a day in the second week; 1 cup a day in third week; and none in the fourth week!." Start replacing your caffeinated beverages with the decaf versions!. Consider switching slowly to water as a substitute!.
* Allocate your caffeine money in the beginning of the week, so that if you over-consume it in the beginning of the week, you will have nothing to fall back onto in the end of the week!. If you allocate less and less caffeine money as you go on, you will gradually reduce your intake!.
* Set aside one day - possibly a Sunday - when you are not on the go for a detox day!. Make sure on the day you have chosen to detox you have no pressing commitments or tasks!.
Tips
* Different people use different ways of quitting!. What works for one person may not work for another!. Try these steps in any order to see what works best for you!.
* Kicking it in one clear cut may work well for some, even with the symptoms!. Feeling the headache and fatigue can actually demonstrate just what the caffeine is doing to your system!. It does also give some an important sense of accomplishment - since some people may not notice the difference when giving it up gradually!.
* There is no question that the withdrawal is tough, it is very tough, but cold turkey is the best way to go!. Start on a Thursday because the third and fourth days are the worst!. You do not want to be at work while you are in the worst phase!. The clarity you will sense when you are cleared out is unbelievable!. You will feel like you had forgotten how lucid the human mind is!. It is TOTALLY WORTH QUITTING!!!
* DRINK LOTS OF WATER, LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER!. Get yourself a replacement drink, it could be water, carbonated water, juice, decaf - just something to get when the urge for a cup sneaks in!.
* "Postum" is very similar to coffee, but without any caffeine!. Try it!. You might like it!. Hot Carob is another good choice (somewhat like cocoa)!.
* Ginseng root is a great herbal alternative to caffeine, and pills of it can be found at health food stores!. It is a natural alternative for your energy needs!
* As an alternative to quitting gradually, you could just go cold turkey!. This is harder, but often more effective!. If doing this, increase your water intake drastically, it will often help reduce the headaches!. The big problem with "cutting down" is that it makes you really look forward to your daily ration!. A great mindset to be in when you're quitting something is to look upon it as a happy experience, not a painful one that you want to postpone for as long as possible!.
* Another thing to try: The first week, drink your coffee as you normally would!. The second week, when you make your coffee, use 3/4 regular and 1/4 decaf!. The third week, use 1/2 and 1/2!. The fourth week, use 1/4 regular and 3/4 decaf!. The fifth week, you're drinking decaf!
* Use your strength to fight your weakness!. One example is that if you are competitive, find someone just as competitive with you to compete with to see who can stay off of coffee the longest!.
* If you wish to reintroduce caffeine into your diet on a non-addicted basis limit yourself to one cup of tea or coffee per day, preferably in the morning and no later than early afternoon!. Caffeine addiction is often born out of habit, so therefore don't slip back into the habit of reaching for a tea, coffee or diet coke whenever you feel like it!.
Warnings
* There is caffeine in lots of drinks, not just the dark ones like coffee and cola!. Stay clear of energy drinks and be careful with tea!. You should make a habit of checking out the ingredients of what you eat and drink so you don't sabotage your efforts!.
* Chocolate and other cocoa derivatives contain caffeine!. If you're serious about getting off of stimulants, you may consider quitting chocolate as well!. Caffeine concentration is directly related to the darkness of the chocolate!. For instance, a milk-chocolate bar will have much less caffeine than a dark chocolate bar!.
* With headaches being the most common (and severe) symptom, watch out for caffeine laced headache remedies, such as Excedrin!. Interestingly, caffeine is an ingredient in many of the most frequently used prescription headache medications!.
* Decaffeinated coffee does contain a minimal level of caffeine!. While it may serve as a stepping stone, do realize that continuing to consume decaffeinated coffee does not constitute quitting caffeine!. If you enjoy hot drinks, look instead for no caffeine products such as herbal teas or even soups!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
15 yrs massive caffeine addiction!. when i would attempt to quit all it took was one cola or coffee to set me off again!. all day long and everyday!.
saw this show called I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna
had a technique in it called the craving buster which is
aversion therapy!. i practiced it and quit caffeine addiction in 5mins!.
even test myself by having an occasional coke or coffee with meal !. doesn't set me off again!. just have to do the craving buster technique and it's easy!.
imagination is stronger than willpower!. and i always tried with willpower before!.
you can read the technique on site below or sign in and watch the video!. amazing technique from NLP therapy that reprograms the minds way of observing situations!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
saw this show called I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna
had a technique in it called the craving buster which is
aversion therapy!. i practiced it and quit caffeine addiction in 5mins!.
even test myself by having an occasional coke or coffee with meal !. doesn't set me off again!. just have to do the craving buster technique and it's easy!.
imagination is stronger than willpower!. and i always tried with willpower before!.
you can read the technique on site below or sign in and watch the video!. amazing technique from NLP therapy that reprograms the minds way of observing situations!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Yep!. The trick is to do it SLOWLY because caffeine dilates (makes smaller) blood vessels!. Quitting cold turkey will give you terrible headaches!. If you normally drink three strong cups of coffee, drink two cups for a week!. Next, drink a cup for a week!. Then drink a half cup for a week!. For the next week, drink decaf (you are still have the taste, and it has just a hint of caffeine!.) After that you are off!! Also, don't drink soda with caffeine; pick 7up or sprite or coke/pepsi without caffeine!. IT's really easy to get back to where you are and read labels of all sodas; mountain dew, dr pepper, etc have more than regular coke or pepsi!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
I went off caffeine and never felt better!. I must say though that it's a true addiction, I had a relapse after 1 accidental pepsi drink!.
I did cold turkey both of the time I went off!. I was very irritable for days and was extremely tired to the point I couldn't get out of bed!.
It's worth it though, definately worth it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I did cold turkey both of the time I went off!. I was very irritable for days and was extremely tired to the point I couldn't get out of bed!.
It's worth it though, definately worth it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Going cold turkey almost never works!. Try cutting out a little bit at a time from your daily consumption each day!. Maybe an ounce a day, or even over a few days, and just keep winding it down!. It might be hard at first, but it will get easier and easier as time goes on!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I got addicted to caffeine pills my junior year of college!. My best friend got really upset when she found out and she and a bunch of my other friends made sure I didn't have any caffeine at all for like three months!. I was very pissy to say the least but I got over it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NOPE NO NO CANT STOP!!!! MUST CUT DOWN!!! try stopping slowly a little bit less everyday- then go through the hype outs anger crying thing and you will sleep a lot too and have brain fog real bad, but it gets better, I quit for over a year but then got hooked from cola at fast foodWww@Answer-Health@Com
I am not a coke drinker, but coffee was my addiction!. I have heart palpitations and HAD to back off!. I went to decaf!. It still has some caffeine, but decaf is 90 or so % caffeine free!. If I don't get a little I get headaches!. So this was perfect for me!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I was able to quit the caffeine addiction!. You have to make it through the headaches for awhile!. You might get lucky and not get any!. Depends!.!.!. Was pretty easy for me to go off of!.Www@Answer-Health@Com