How do you quit certain addictions? I've always gone cold turkey with everything, caffeine, smoking, and whatever else I was addicted to.
Thing is, I can't actually function properly without caffeine, even without drinking it like how I used to, I am unable to complete a normal day unless I have had at least 80mg of caffeine. Is there a remedy to this? Or should I just go a very long time without caffeine and hope for the best?
Oh, and what are your methods for quitting 'addictions'?
yea I was always a cold turkey enjoyer as well, I quit very hardcore drugs that way and it was painful but better than being in a methadone clinic my whole life
As for caffeine specifically, it is a very good idea to evaluate your relationship to it, and if it affects your life negatively. but also Caffeine is a good substance for many people. as long as your intake remains below the upper limits it is not harmful, and can help with cognition, health, and gym performance. unless you're slamming 3-4 monsters a day I don't think you have much to worry about.
But if what you said is true about not being able to function at all, perhaps this can be the result of caffeine yes or it could be other factors that caffeine is just a bandaid for, like sleep, hormones, diet etc.
Correcting any of those also can help make quitting much easier if that is something you wish to do
Caffeine is a plaster or band aid for an unhealthy diet and lifestyle and/or insufficient sleep. So the first week after quitting caffeine you will feel wrecked but it gets better after that. However you may not reach the 'highs' of your caffeine days owing to the above. If you change your diet, reduce stress and work on your health - a long term project - it can help with that. e.g. if you started meditating, did qi gong, cut out processed foods and refined sugar etc. Keep up with stretching and so on. Take adaptogenic herbs, like coryceps, red ginseng, etc. Some of these you can have as a tea. My health is trash but its a work in progres. However I don't drink caffeine except on special occasions, like if I have to drive really far on the motorway or someone offers me some tea. Otherwise none at all. If you drink it every day you just end up relying on it and getting used to it, rather than it actually giving you a boost. I don't drink booze anymore. I enjoy red wine, but it makes you fat, can cause ankle or leg swelling, my liver is probably fatty enough as it is without adding alcohol, it dehydrates your body, it is a neurotoxin etc. So I never drink.
Cold turkey or reduce your intake over time, whichever works best for you.
Also if you do drink caffeine, then drink something healthier, like yerba mate (its fucking strong so go easy on it lol) or white tea which are both high in antioxidants. Coffee and black tea are a mixed bag.
I’m actually 3,893 days sober from alcohol and drugs or over 10 years, if you’re fancy. I’m also 6 years cigarette and nicotine free!
I stopped using alcohol and drugs cold turkey, with support from the rehab centre I was in. Smoking was also cold turkey… kinda. I bought a pack of Nicorette gum and used it for the first two days, then stopped that too.
Once I set my mind to something, I can get pretty determined. Having support through getting sober made a big difference, too.
I have zero recommendations for caffeine. I drink a matcha or a coffee at least once a day. Let me have a vice :p Honestly, I haven’t tried quitting caffeine, so I’ll leave that advice to someone who has. I’m just here with my little beverage, cheering you on.
i have a lot of vices but one i struggled with most of my teen and now young adult life is cutting myself.
im clean from it now for a few months. i had a big fight with my sister. she begged me to stop doing it.
i guess you kinda have to come to the realization on your own of like "wow i am hurting myself and the people i love when i do this, i should stop" but my sister definitely helped me do that.
i cant speak on any substance addictions but maybe talking to family or doctors about it might help?
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