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Quitting Caffeine

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Re: Quitting Caffeine

#41

Post by aaachilless »

danhak wrote: post #8
SOLAR_FIELDS wrote: post #3

One of the more interesting comments in the article is in regards to the social stigma of only consuming water during meals - people who have quit alcohol for various reasons have faced the same stigma when going out with friends. I've found that ordering something that has little to no calories or substance goes a long way to alleviate these fears (like tonic or sparkling water). Because something like this still co…

Just a heads up that most tonic water is actually loaded with sugar and calories--nearly as much as soda! I was pretty surprised when I'd realized this--G&T's had been my go-to "low-cal" cocktail for quite a while. Ordering a club soda w/ lemon or lime however is a great move when avoiding alcohol in a social setting.

I'm not sure if you meant to imply the contrary, but club soda isn't the same as tonic water--club soda doesn't have sugar added. So if you're yet to find a replacement for your gin and tonics, you could try out vodka sodas :)

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#42

Post by bitJericho »

nkkollaw wrote: post #26
tekromancr wrote: post #16

I have a lot of problems trying to quit caffeine. Ever since I was a young child, they gave me really powerful amphetamines to get me to focus. Then when I turned 18 it became much more difficult to obtain. In the US, Ritalin/dexadrine/adderall are all class II controlled substances with similar restrictions to cocaine or fentynal, so in order to get it I would need to have a doctor's appointment every month, which w…

Jesus, that's like 10 espressos! I'm at >= 5. Pretty bad. I also feels like caffeine doesn't have much effect anymore. Any way to make quitting easier?

No need to quit if you don't want to. Just drink less. Mix your coffee with decaf.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#43

Post by bduerst »

Danihan wrote: post #29
tekromancr wrote: post #16

I have a lot of problems trying to quit caffeine. Ever since I was a young child, they gave me really powerful amphetamines to get me to focus. Then when I turned 18 it became much more difficult to obtain. In the US, Ritalin/dexadrine/adderall are all class II controlled substances with similar restrictions to cocaine or fentynal, so in order to get it I would need to have a doctor's appointment every month, which w…

> I am afraid to walk into a doctors office after not going for years and asking for drugs. Just do it, it's really not that hard. Lots of patients (especially with ADHD) go off their meds for long periods. If anything, it's a sign that the diagnosis was correct.

Many medical organizations require a licensed psychologist to write the prescription for ADHD medications, rather than the attending PCP, and many insurance plans don't cover psychologist visits.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#44

Post by jessriedel »

pdog wrote: post #30
SOLAR_FIELDS wrote: post #3

One of the more interesting comments in the article is in regards to the social stigma of only consuming water during meals - people who have quit alcohol for various reasons have faced the same stigma when going out with friends. I've found that ordering something that has little to no calories or substance goes a long way to alleviate these fears (like tonic or sparkling water). Because something like this still co…

> One of the more interesting comments in the article is in regards to the social stigma of only consuming water during meals - people who have quit alcohol for various reasons have faced the same stigma when going out with friends. That stigma is entirely self-perception. No one cares or even notices what anyone else drinking.

This is definitely false. I've had multiple women tell me the dominant thing they noticed on a first date was that I didn't order a drink. Likewise, many people can attest that the social encouragement to get everyone drinking in group situations is very explicit. Shared consumption of intoxicating substances is closely monitored by everyone in the group, and is not same thing as the true fact that no one cares whether you have a brown or black belt.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#45

Post by revelation »

whipoodle wrote: post #20

It has always been interesting to me that (at least in America) this particular drug dependence is something we joke lightly about ("don't talk to me before I've had my coffee"). And of course it's much less serious than other forms of dependence, but it still seems not particularly good to me. I try to refrain from having caffeine often so that it still has an effect when I drink a coffee.

Why does caffeine "dependence" concern you? It's extremely harmless and for the vast majority of the population the sole remaining effect is that of a very slight laxative.

Frankly, people drinking coffee over sugary beverages is a public health win.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#46

Post by jrs95 »

I've been wanting to do this, but I think I'll probably have to take 2 weeks of PTO to do that, unfortunately. At least it's a relatively benign addiction, I suppose.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#47

Post by bduerst »

nkkollaw wrote: post #26
tekromancr wrote: post #16

I have a lot of problems trying to quit caffeine. Ever since I was a young child, they gave me really powerful amphetamines to get me to focus. Then when I turned 18 it became much more difficult to obtain. In the US, Ritalin/dexadrine/adderall are all class II controlled substances with similar restrictions to cocaine or fentynal, so in order to get it I would need to have a doctor's appointment every month, which w…

Jesus, that's like 10 espressos! I'm at >= 5. Pretty bad. I also feels like caffeine doesn't have much effect anymore. Any way to make quitting easier?

I quit for a while by switching to black tea. Lots and lots of the stuff, and working down from there.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#48

Post by function_seven »

revelation wrote: post #38
tekromancr wrote: post #16

I have a lot of problems trying to quit caffeine. Ever since I was a young child, they gave me really powerful amphetamines to get me to focus. Then when I turned 18 it became much more difficult to obtain. In the US, Ritalin/dexadrine/adderall are all class II controlled substances with similar restrictions to cocaine or fentynal, so in order to get it I would need to have a doctor's appointment every month, which w…

Exchanging caffeine for amphetamines that develop real physical dependence doesn't feel like a good course of action.

Why is "amphetamines" italicized?

Also, it appears parent has an unusual level of caffeine intake, and did much better when they were taking amphetamines.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#49

Post by Danihan »

bduerst wrote: post #43
Danihan wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I am afraid to walk into a doctors office after not going for years and asking for drugs. Just do it, it's really not that hard. Lots of patients (especially with ADHD) go off their meds for long periods. If anything, it's a sign that the diagnosis was correct.

Many medical organizations require a licensed psychologist to write the prescription for ADHD medications, rather than the attending PCP, and many insurance plans don't cover psychologist visits.

It would be a psychiatrist, not a psychologist.

And all insurance plans do cover mental health per the ACA... It is one of the ten benefits that must be covered on all plans under the law.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#50

Post by mtkd »

emilecantin wrote: post #13

I drink coffee because I enjoy it, not to give me a "boost" in the morning. I limit myself to 1 large mug per day, with the (very) occasional afternoon cup. I don't notice any difference between my energy levels before / after my morning coffee, nor on days I skip it. I get a headache in the early afternoon when I skip it, though, so I'm definitely addicted. I wonder if the author's energy level issues were due to hi…

I stopped drinking it for a year just to see what difference it made - it felt like more even energy over the day, but mornings lost something - so I have two strong cups very early now and no caffeine after 9am - except maybe tea

Some of the energy thing is related to dehydration I suspect - if I drink more water over the day it has same effect as stopping coffee

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