Red bull - 12+ cans daily

[Addictedtoeverything]

12 cans at least for as long as I can remember. Started drinking them working long hours in an office, then kept increasing as I need more caffeine and it’s just spiralled out of control as I worked from home.

I am so ashamed of it, not to mention the money spent, living in fear of a heart attack etc etc - but apparently not too ashamed to stop.

I’m now hugely overweight, terrible teeth, aevil anxiety and I desperately want to stop. But every day I tell myself “tomorrows the day”.

I appreciate this isn’t an illegal addiction and some might even question if it’s an addiction at all but I’ve tried (and failed) to “cut down” and “just stop”.

I don’t know why I’m posting here really - part of me wants to post so I have somewhere to be accountable when I stop, but then I’ve tried so many times. I don’t know.

Yikes, OP. That is definitely a legitimate addiction. It doesn’t have to be illegal for it to be a problem.

I would probably start with a trip to the GP.

OP, at one point I was drinking 3-4 of them a day to get through a job with long working hours. It was like I was climbing the ceiling, but I had terrible anxiety with it and my sleep was absolutely shot to shit. A couple of friends confided in my later down the line that they thought I was on cocaine at the time. I didn't touch the stuff.

This isn't a long-term solution and doesn't solve the problem, but can you start by transferring to sugar free (same caffeine but you'll be doing your teeth and waistline a favour). Can you cut back by one per day for the next week and see how you get on? Have you tried to cut down? Good luck.

Can you start spacing them a little more, so it’s a gradual reduction?
Also check the label, can you find a substitute with a few mg less caffeine so your overall daily amount is slightly reduced?
Could that type of approach help?
Can you store them out of the house to help you not grab one from habit eg shed, car boot, attic.

I know someone who has a heart attack under 30 because of caffeine drink addiction. I'd say the best plan is to cut down one can a day.

It's properly dangerous OP they have a warning label for a reason. I'd probably speak to your GP or nurse.

Please dont put it off.

Caffeine is very addictive so it is definitely a proper addiction. It is also very easy to start and very difficult to stop.

12 cans a day is a lot and I think you will struggle to cut down on your own. You need professional help. Your gp is a good place to start.

I just had a look @Addictedtoeverything in case you don’t already know, the maximum safe limit is 5 a day, that’s the max. If you can’t cut down fairly quickly (is that dangerous, I don’t know?) I think you should see a doctor asap

That's over 70 cans a week OP - when and where are you buying them? If you work from home then you need to not have them in the house. When you want to go and buy some then you need to distract yourself with something else.

Say a can of red bull is £1, you're spending over £70 a week on them. Don't spend money on Red Bull and save the money for something you'd love as a reward.

Thank you so, so much. Part of my worry was not being taken seriously and I’m really moved that you’ve taken the time to reply and acknowledged it’s an addiction. I can’t articulate it but that’s a huge step for me is knowing it’s not just in my head that I’m addicted. I have been to the GP before and they were no help, but I’m going to go again.

Thanks so much these are good suggestions. The anxiety is spot on but I’m at the point (again) where I’ve built such an intolerance I can drink a can and go to sleep. That’s how I know it’s hugely out of control (beyond the obvious)

Without sounding hideous (and I’m so sorry for the person who went through this), this has really helped me because I live in fear of this - yet because it’s not something you hear about/I don’t know anyone it’s happened to, I live in denial that it’ll happen. Thank you for sharing that’s given me a real kick, especially as I’ve been doing this for YEARS

You poor thing. This has become as much about habit as it has about addiction. It's like you're using an anxiety-inducing substance to curb your anxiety. Vicious circle.

Start by transferring to sugar free (the taste really isn't that much different, and I think you'll agree Red Bull is pretty foul anyway) and only drink 11 tomorrow. 10 on Thursday, and so on. See how you feel.

I didn’t know that, so thank you. Honestly I’m now wondering if I’ve been naive and purposely just avoided looking for facts like that because the truth hurts and I don’t think I’m strong enough to stop, worryingly, even after I see stats like this…I am a really strong headed person generally but with this I seem to have zero will power.

You’re so right about the distraction. It’s like I’ve convinced my brain if I don’t follow the pattern of having them something disastrous will happen - I will get up early to go to the shop, walk miles - it doesn’t matter the extent I would need to go to to get my “fix”. I need to circuit break the pattern. You’re right though, it’s a horrific amount of money.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/feb/02/the-real-thing-my-battle-to-beat-a-27-year-diet-coke-addiction
I know 3 people addicted to caffienated drinks. It is very serious and harmful. It is best to reduce so limit yourself to 2 less every 2 days - no more than 10 tomorrow. Buy them daily if you can so you do not have a stock. Reduce and reduce. You are not alone OP.

Yes! You have just hit the nail on the head with something so, so obvious I’d let it become a subconscious action but you are so right - I am in a habit with it - down to the times I buy them, drink them, go between drinking them. Thank you, I’ve missed something so obvious (and I’m honestly being so genuine there I hope it doesn’t read in any other way - it’s like sharing tonight has actually made me stop and think about it, rather than just do it with no thought at all).

Keep posting on here. Every time you need to reduce by one can, let people on here cheerlead you and support you, read and type messages here instead of drinking the can. Every single can reduction is a step in the right direction. Just be mindful that your brain may try to redirect your addiction towards something else. You CAN improve the situation and people here would love to help!

Bless you, I'm the same with the litre bottles of Emerge Zero. (Although when I've run out I don't rush out straight away and buy more. But I do start planning on when I can get to the shop to get another pack!)
I also don't seem to have any reaction to caffeine, I've taken my blood pressure after a few days of 4 or 5 bottles a day. No change at all. I can chug down bottle after bottle and still sleep! For me it's the fizz and taste that's addictive.
I know water is boring, but I find cold water from the fridge tends to take the craving away when I have one. I've even started back on adding a little bit of squash to it.
Sorry I haven't helped that much, but I wanted you to know you're not alone 🌹

It's really easy to miss the obvious when you're clouded by addiction and just operating on auto-pilot when it comes to grabbing that next can.
The cost must also be killing you? I don't think I've seen a can going for less than £1.35 in recent months?
This sounds a bit lame, but when you're due to have your last can for the night, could you substitute it for a cup of chamomile tea instead? No caffeine in it, but it's extremely cleansing and great for helping to calm anxiety before you go to sleep.

I once drank two and in the evening I got the shakes!

Can you try mixing half with lemonade so that you reduce down to six a day.

And then gradually increase the lemonade and decrease the red bull?

Thank you. I’m honestly blown away (and a little bit tearful) of even the comments so far! I wasn’t sure I’d get any response, or even just be flamed but it’s like everyone’s saying to me we hear you and we can help. I know everyone is a person behind a username but it’s suddenly like I’ve got a community cheering me on and it’s incredibly moving when you feel so rock bottom.

Thank you - you’ve helped hugely and actually that’s a great point having something like that in the fridge prepared for when I feel myself slipping! Like having a fallback plan in place.

Exactly that it’s been so so long I honestly just do it like I presume “normal” people drink water/tea/coffee without overthinking it. It’s just like a go to drink. And yeap on the cost - a box is anywhere between £4-7 (sometimes more) x3 boxes a day and whatever else I end up buying in the shop.

It won’t be surprising to say I’m in debt - ironically I was always coming up with a reason why - the things I had to cover the cost for rather than thinking I must be spending say £600 odd pounds a month on this more than I earn.

No not lame at all - I’m honestly willing to try and thing that will help, so thank you!

Sorry, I’m conscious I keep replying short essays to you but you’ve made so many helpful points! Thank you again

Ah now see that is a good idea and not something that would have ever entered my head! Thank you, I totally see what you mean - almost like water it down and keep doing so until it’s just the lemonade. I’m happy to buy lemonade, camomile tea - basically anything suggested to see what works!

I wanted to say that you’re being brave OP in admitting you have a problem and wanting to fix it. I have no extra advice to add to what has been posted but I wish you all the best and every strength in dealing with this.