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Original poster

I think I might be addicted to coke (Cola not the drug!)

36 replies

saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 14:49

So I drink quite a lot of coke, full sugar coca cola, usually at least one can a day. I always say I'm going to stop drinking it everyday, I get rid of the last of it but if I wake up and don't have any in the house I just crave it so much and it becomes pretty much all I can think about. I end up going to one of the local shops to buy some. I prefer to vary the shops I buy it from because I'm actually embarrassed about how much I buy.

I didn't have any yesterday but had to fight the desire to go out and buy some all day and again to day I keep thinking I'll just nip out and buy some coke so I can focus properly and pep myself up a bit.

I am literally addicted to coke aren't I?

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 17/04/2023 14:54

Can you start by getting the smaller mixer cans 150ml I think and have X1 per day so you get a coke hit but don't have to drink the whole 330ml

frozendaisy · 17/04/2023 14:55

1 can a day, if that is all it is, is not a "big habit"

Mabelface · 17/04/2023 14:57

I had to quit diet coke. I was drinking it like water. Actually swapped it for water cold turkey. A little over a year later, I can have the odd small bottle without cravings starting again.

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Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:04

frozendaisy · 17/04/2023 14:55

1 can a day, if that is all it is, is not a "big habit"

It's at least one can a day but can be more, sometimes several cans and it isn't something anyone should be drinking daily I don't think.

OP posts:
Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:09

@Mabelface I'm trying fizzy water and its helping a bit. I'd love to be able to enjoy the odd coke in future as I don't drink alcohol and when I don't have it all the time I really enjoy it where as at the moment I often don't even enjoy it that much when I actually get it. I think in my case its a psychological craving more than a physical one.

OP posts:
Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:10

frozendaisy · 17/04/2023 14:54

Can you start by getting the smaller mixer cans 150ml I think and have X1 per day so you get a coke hit but don't have to drink the whole 330ml

I could try that, I saw someone in the supermarket buying loads of mini cans, perhaps they were doing the same thing!

OP posts:
Sugaspunsista · 17/04/2023 15:11

I have drunk at least 6 cans of coke or diet coke every day for the last 20 years

I wouldn't worry about 1 can tbh... maybe switch to sugar free??

mathanxiety · 17/04/2023 15:14

You're better off going cold turkey.

It will hurt for a while, but then you'll be free. Smaller cans will just prolong the agony. Think of it as ripping off a plaster vs. peeling it off slowly.

Fizzy water (if sugar-free) can help.

Badbudgeter · 17/04/2023 15:15

I used to survive mainly on Diet Coke and cigarettes. Unsurprisingly I was much thinner then. It was easier to give up cigarettes than it was Diet Coke I was really addicted. It’s a good thing to quit though.

I have the odd Coke Zero these days, it’s free at work, it doesn’t seem to induce the craving that Diet Coke does so maybe give that a try. I mainly drink fizzy water though.

Bluebells1970 · 17/04/2023 15:15

Put a penny coin into a glass of coke and see what it does.

That cured me of my habit!

crazeecatlady · 17/04/2023 15:18

I was drinking a 2l bottle a day, until I was told it was affecting my potassium levels (I have CKD) so I stopped drinking it - just like that. Now drinking very dilute lime juice in fizzy water,

Coyoacan · 17/04/2023 15:18

I think you are right to give it up as it can be very damaging for your health.

I gave up alcohol first and then cigarrettes by taking high doses of vitamin B complex as that is really helpful for one's nerves.

Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:18

Sugaspunsista · 17/04/2023 15:11

I have drunk at least 6 cans of coke or diet coke every day for the last 20 years

I wouldn't worry about 1 can tbh... maybe switch to sugar free??

If I could drink the sugar free I would but I hate the taste of the artificial sweeteners as its just tastes bitter to me. So I need to give up the coke as a daily habit due to it not always being just one can, because of the sugar and many of my family are type 2 diabetic, there are also question marks over some of the other ingredients in cola which means I feel I shouldn't be having it daily.

OP posts:
Doggi · 17/04/2023 15:19

I used to be addicted to Pepsi max. I drank 3 litres a day for 10 years (I’m under 25 too). I quit just over a year ago after support from an addicts group. Some were heroin addicts and some were Pepsi max just like me! Actually quite a few were past drug addicts turned soft drink addicts. They really are very very addictive

Doggi · 17/04/2023 15:21

I now only drink plain water as I couldn’t stick to just one on special occasions or anything. I don’t trust myself so didn’t try. Luckily I don’t drink alcohol or smoke

ChickenBurgers · 17/04/2023 15:22

I empathise, this is me with redbull and coke/Pepsi. Nothing at all hits the spot. I’m aware it’s probably partly why I’ve gained so much weight and how bad it is for me, but it’s such a tough nut to crack. I don’t do well with reduction as I find it way too easy to spiral again, I’m all or nothing. I also think sugar free alternatives are absolutely vile.

I know I just need to get through the first couple of weeks, but it’s so hard. I feel a bit pathetic really finding it so hard, but is what it is 😂

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 17/04/2023 15:23

frozendaisy · 17/04/2023 14:55

1 can a day, if that is all it is, is not a "big habit"

There are 39g of sugar in one can - nearly 8 teaspoons. That's a lot.

Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:25

@Doggi Wow that is really interesting, I felt a bit shady using the language of addiction for something like cola but perhaps it is that addictive to some people anyway? I certainly feel like its a very irrational craving most days.

@Coyoacan I've actually just been diagnosed as anemic and Vitamin D deficient and have supplements from my GP now. I was thinking of adding a vitamin B complex to help with my iron uptake so will definitely do that now!

OP posts:
DiDonk · 17/04/2023 15:29

Try drinking it at room temperature

Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:29

@ChickenBurgers It is hard, at the moment I am sort of ok as I'm at home but I know as soon as I am out I'll be so tempted to just go an buy some. It has caused me weight gain also partly because I think popping into shops for a fizzy drink also encourages other unhealthy snacking habits but its mostly the cola, really want to quit.

OP posts:
Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:31

DiDonk · 17/04/2023 15:29

Try drinking it at room temperature

I have done if i needed to and while its not as nice at the time it was better than no cola at all. I will admit though that its not uncommon for me to go out of my way to go out and buy some coke then get home crack open can and just not enjoy it all that much even though I was jumping out of my skin to get some all day! Of course other times it just goes down like magic and gives you a real boost.

OP posts:
Hye000 · 17/04/2023 15:37

I could have written this… exactly the same as you even down to the fact you said that at times you don’t even enjoy it! I find it nicer in a glass than in the can but it makes me drink more, I’ve tried swapping to other fizzy drinks such as lemonade etc or Fanta zero as I don’t like sugar free coke but I don’t mind Fanta or vimto etc sugar free, still impossible to give them all up though, I don’t drink alcohol or smoke or anything but fizzy pop is my crux!

Coyoacan · 17/04/2023 15:41

It is well known to be addictive and diet coke still makes people put on weight.

I live in a country that is famously one of the major consumers of coke and also has a huge percentage of the population with type 2 diabetes.

CactusSantaDresser · 17/04/2023 15:41

I quit when my dentist told me that the carbonation was doing my teeth no favours (I drank Diet Coke, so it wasn't the sugar). Cutting down was hopeless but I managed to stop completely by doing it hard and fast.

Original poster
saltedwalker · 17/04/2023 15:46

@Hye000 I'm the same really no other bad habits really but cola I never got into the other ones and the cola habit just sneaked up on me!

@Coyoacan I really don't want to become diabetic and many in my family are so that is a big incentive to stop!

@CactusSantaDresser I have a long list of good reasons to stop from it damaging my teeth, to the cost, its affect on my weight etc but really its the way the cravings just take over my mind that bother me the most.

OP posts: