Overcoming caffeine addiction

Here are just a few signs of caffeine addiction.

Is your morning caffeine drink a must every morning?
Do you always have a caffeine drink with you?
Do you get headaches if you go too long without caffeine?
Do you have trouble sleeping at night?
If your supply is low, do you make it a point to run out just to buy soda/coffee?
Can you drink 2-3 two liters of soda a day, all by yourself?

These are all signs that you could be addicted.

Before taking the plunge to quit, please talk to your doctor. Quitting any addiction can irritate health problems, so it's always smart to get a consult first.

After you've been given the ok to go forward, decide how you want to quit. For some, cutting back slowly works better. Others can stop cold turkey.

Mostly importantly, you need to be committed. Once withdrawals kick in, it will test your willpower. You need to be firm in your willingness to quit.

If you choose this method, here is basically what you have to do:

1. Track you caffeine intake for 5-7 days. Write down how many caffeinated drinks you have.

2. Pick a day to start and tell people about it. Some people will think it's silly, but it isn't. Quitting caffeine isn't any different than quitting smoking.

3. Cut back a little each day. If you have 8 drinks a day, cut back to 7 drinks for 5-7 days. Keeping doing this until you are at zero.

This method is valid and may be easier for some. Instead of having full-blown withdrawal, this method strings it out a little bit each day. This can help to keep your willpower strong.

This is the method I choose and is the hardest. It will test your willpower and has the worst withdrawals.

You pick a day to quit and just quit. That's it, no more caffeine.

I would only suggest this method to someone who has the ability to rest for the first week or two. You will feel horrible, like you have the flu.

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms are real and can be severe. I quit cold turkey, but I was able to rest and take it easy.

Headaches. These can be the worst. You can take Tylenol for them, but that usually will not help. Just make sure whatever you take doesn't have caffeine in it, like some aspirins do.

Upset stomach. This symptom is usually mild and depends on your level of addiction. If you're sick to your stomach, make Pepto Bismol your friend. It really helps.

Exhaustion. Caffeine is an upper, so you'll be tired after you stop using it. Let yourself nap. The exhaustion will subside, but it takes a while for your body to adjust.

Sleeplessness. This can also be a problem. It's your body adjusting to the lack of caffeine. Not that you aren't tired, it's more of an over tired/can't get to sleep thing.

Mental fogginess. You may not be able to think very clearly in the beginning. Focusing can be hard. After a week or two, this should begin to subside.

Yes, quitting caffeine isn't much different than detoxing from any other drug.

I have been a caffeine addict most of my life. I've been drinking soda since I was about 11.

I couldn't go any where without a cup of coffee or a bottle of soda. I was up to about 3 pots of coffee and 3 two-liters of soda a day. And no, I didn't have help with those, that's just what I was drinking alone, all by myself.

I was getting tired of it and it was aggravating some health problems, so I decided to quit one morning.

I went through 2 and a half weeks of detoxing. I couldn't function. I napped a lot. Spent days just curled up in bed. But it was well worth it. I'm healthier now than I was then.

And I'm happy to say, I'm 33 days caffeine free, haven't had one bit. I drink lots of water and juice. I won't even drink tea.

The thing that surprises me most is I'm still addicted. I have to resist the urge to pick up a bottle of soda every time I go into a grocery store or gas station.

Caffeine addiction is a real addiction, just like any other drug.