Beating caffeine addiction is not easy, any more than quitting other addictions is not easy in and of themselves. Illicit drug addiction may seem tough, and there are hard drugs to detox and withdraw from, but caffeine has gained a social acceptability that makes it seem almost an alright thing to be addicted to, in a way. Over time, the body gets used to it, but it still impacts the mind and body negatively over time. Learn some tips for beating caffeine addiction if you or a loved one are struggling.
Caffeine and the Brain
Everyone is familiar with caffeine and the brain, at least if they use it at any point in their day. When you drink coffee, energy drinks, or sodas, it gives a boost of energy to wake you up. This immediate effect hits the brain and acts like a stimulant. This alertness can get you up and going like a cup of coffee that lasts for only a few hours and then fades.
Symptoms of Caffeine Addiction
The fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the book used for diagnosing psychological conditions, recognizes caffeine addiction and withdrawal as real conditions. Symptoms of caffeine addiction include:
- Feeling restless
- Feeling nervous
- Flushed face
- Insomnia
- Stomach upset
- Muscle twitching
- Frequent urination
- Agitation
- Cardiac issues
Breaking the Chains
The good news about caffeine addiction is that quitting it is easier than some harder drugs out there, even nicotine. Initially after withdrawal symptoms subside, like fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, depression, and other similar issues, they pass and you won’t experience intense cravings that people struggling with addiction face. Going cold turkey off drugs is difficult. A good treatment for addiction is to wean slowly from it. This can reduce the severity of withdrawal and make it more likely you will stick to your choice to give up the habit. Reduce intake by a cup a day for several days. Once discomfort has passed, give up another cup. Keep doing this until you have gone some time without it and start to realize it is not part of your daily routine anymore. Getting past this hump will help you move forward with your desire to stop the caffeine kick for good and start your days without a need for caffeine.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare knows that lifetime sobriety, health, and wellness, are completely possible. Each of our treatment programs offer the opportunity for holistic healing utilizing an integrative approach for the recovery of mind, body, and spirit. You can recover. You will recover. Call us today for more information: 844-560-7269