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Original poster

Best way to quit an addiction

14 replies

jofeb04 · 25/04/2007 15:45

Hiya
I'm basically addicted to coke (or the caffene sp?). Whenever I try to stop drinking it, I'm headachy,generally unwel, lacking energy.

I know it is not the worst thing to be addicted to, but what is the best way to stop the addicton?

OP posts:
PetronellaPinkPants · 25/04/2007 15:49

Go cold turkey
you will be fine in 4 days

vimfuego · 25/04/2007 15:50

Work out what your "triggers" are, what it is that makes you want to consume, when you're doing it, basically any patterns to it. Awareness is the key.

Going 'cold turkey' for a bit will allow you to find other ways to meet whatever your needs are that you find caffeine is currently satisfying.

Original poster
jofeb04 · 25/04/2007 15:54

Cold Turkey?

My triggers are really when I'm at home, driving, working lol.

OP posts:
Original poster
jofeb04 · 25/04/2007 15:54

Thinking about it, it is possibly for the energy rush etc.

OP posts:
rumpypumpy · 25/04/2007 15:55

The headaches are a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. I disagree with the cold turkey advice and would suggest that you half your intake for a week, then half it again for another week then just stop drinking it. do you drink tea and/or coffee as well?

Hillls · 25/04/2007 15:56

Dont buy any dont have any in the house, when you need some have something else, cold turkey really is the best way.

Stigaloid · 25/04/2007 15:56

Caffeine withdrawal is hard but after 3-4 days you will feel so much better. Just go cold turkey.

If you really need one, have a caffeine free coke

Good luck

Original poster
jofeb04 · 25/04/2007 15:58

I drink alot of coffee and tea, well, when there is no coke in the house anyway!

THB, I feel so ill when I haven't had any for a couple of days, cold turkey doesn't sound the best with having my dc at home with me!

OP posts:
Winestein · 25/04/2007 15:58

It takes far more willpower to reduce intake rather than coldturkeying IME.
With coke, I would drink water instead of and eat lots of fruit - bananas are meant to be good for slow release sugars and energy aren't they?

Spidermama · 25/04/2007 16:02

I'm addicted to coffee and get the same symptoms when I come off it. I will have to go cold turkey at some point. Just not today. Never today.

persephonesnape · 25/04/2007 16:14

i did it - it does take around four days and it is horrible. but at the end of it you think' wow, wonder what it was doing to my body if i felt so shitty coming off of it...?'

get some painkillers for the head aches - have some nice treats ( bath, hair treatment, face pack whatever - one a day until teh four days is up.

NicJane · 25/04/2007 16:18

I had to reduce the amount of coffee I drank to get out of the caffeine habit and I did it slowly - replacing one of my daily coffees each week with decaff until I was clear. (ie 1 decaff a day on week one, 2 on week 2 etc) It took ages but was worth it. I didn't have any of the headaches or jitters that I'd had when I tried to cold turkey it. Never looked back.

Original poster
jofeb04 · 25/04/2007 16:21

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it.

Is it worth quitting down, or just quitting? Or can I drink Caffene free coke?

OP posts:
Winestein · 25/04/2007 16:32

Seriously, go cold turkey. It will only take 3 or 4 days of feeling rough and then you're over it. If you cut down, you will be subconsciously telling yourself that you are missing out on something. You won't feel as bad, but it will be harder and it will drag on.
I have cracked cigarettes and alcohol by cold turkeying. I could never do either of them by cutting down.

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