Getting addicted to caffeine, what to do?

The fact is we do not know what we are taking in, we just rely on doctors and people who sell food, but other interests are at stake, higher interests than our health.

What? I was not even aware that people could die from caffeine overdose, at least I don't recall seeing anything related in the news. Found an interesting link here.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/caffein...-will-kill-you-inner-workings-overdose-303906 that link will give you an idea of how much caffeine can kill you.

Thanks for sharing that Matt, it's a really interesting piece. I don't know how we have come to this point, when we are selling products that are harmful to our health, don't we have something called public health?

In the US, Caffeine Intoxication is an officially recognized psychiatric illness. That's intoxication, not addiction. It's important to realize that there is also such a thing as caffeine poisoning which, in extreme cases, can cause death. The UK government have spoken out recently about their concerns over high-caffeine energy drinks which have become extremely popular with adolescents, many of whom are mixing those drinks with alcohol. According to the NHS, however, even without using alcohol high-caffeine drinks are still responsible for a wide range of health issues including heart palpitations, hypertension (high blood pressure) and more.

You could possibly impose yourself you don't need caffeine to get that boost of energy most of people have upon consuming coffee or whatever product which contains it.
I personally have never got caffeine addiction, but if you say you're starting to have, you should do something about it, and you could start by doing what I said before. And, like others have mentioned, too, tea is a nice alternative.

I have never heard of caffeine addiction getting that severe. I think you should see a doctor whether it is a shrink or physician.

I'm going to read through this full thread I think - I don't know any other way than relying on caffeine these days. I joke that some mornings I'm so tired that my coffee needs a coffee. However, I usually have 3 to 4 cups before midday, and sometimes I do feel a little of the anxiety-inducing effects of caffeine, like my heart racing.

I need to start cutting back...I don't like relying on any substance to keep me going, and even though caffeine is legal and so common everywhere it's still a reliance on a drug when you break it down!

I used to drink 2-4 energy drinks every day so I can tell you that if you are addicted and plan on quitting, you better keep some migraine meds close. The headaches from caffeine withdrawal are hellatious.

It's funny isn't it how normalized the presence of caffeine or other stimulants is...most people don't even question drinking coffee, or energy drinks containing a high amount of caffeine and so forth. It's just such a part of our culture that you say you're a caffeine addict and most people just respond with "me too!"

I'm actually trying to cut back with hot water and lemon juice in it. Sounds weird, I know, but it's meant to be cleansing...and sometimes it's just that feeling of having a warm drink that I enjoy. More the ritual of it perhaps, than the caffeine hit that I need.

Gradually release the number of beans you use in your coffee until you feel you can function on little to no beans at all. That way, you still get the coffee taste but you reduce the amount of caffeine that you're intaking. Plus, I'm pretty sure the action of ingesting something that smells like coffee creates a placebo effect and keeps you awake. If you can keep that placebo but with less coffee, then you're in the clear. Good luck.

That's terrible to hear @kassie1234 . I had a similar problem when I began my fast paced, high stakes job. I feel like I NEEDED to consume copious amounts of caffeine to be successful in the workplace. I knew many of my colleagues were taking similar stimulants(some even illegal prescription drugs) that enhanced their performance and often led to promotions and bonuses. Needless to say, the vociferous pace at which I consumed caffeine was not sustainable and soon I had to find other outlets to make me more productive. I ended up going to my doctor to get prescribed medicine to reduce anxiety and help me focus my energy during work hours.

No you are not over reacting. Caffeine is a neurotoxin. It's like cocaine. It's not good for anyone and people are clueless about what it really is. I have not really ever been able to drink it or get into it. I am sensitive to it.
Yeah you have to think of it as a drug. Flush it out. I mean if you were into Starbucks coffee that toxic crap will probably make you want to commit suicide. Drink lots of water and eat really clean foods. Skip the processed junk.

I think that's an interesting perspective Adrianna!! I feel that you might be over-doing it however. Caffeine has been shown to have some positive effects in moderation - indeed in 2013, a study by Harvard's School of Public Health found those who drank two to three cups of coffee a day, cut suicide risk by 45 percent; possibly because caffeine's stimulant effect helps boost people's moods.

An example I often use is the bark of Willow Tree. The bark has 'natural' analgesic properties but the degree of analgesia you get from stripping the bark, brewing a tea and drinking the extract is minuscule (and impure) compared to taking an Aspirin!

This is not to say it has no detrimental side effects, but again, everything in moderation is my thoughts on things. Caffeine is a drug, and while I feel it doesn't fall into the same class as other more classically abused drugs, addiction is a terrible situation in any shape or form.

Certainly, if you're displaying signs of addiction, it's time to take action and get help - as with any drug - but I think people need support, more than a lecture about how 'bad' it is.

I absolutely love coffee and therefore need my caffeine fix daily. If I don't drink at least one cup of coffee a day I will start having nasty headaches. However, I've been without coffee for about a week and managed to overcome having headaches. I returned to drinking coffee, simply because it makes life that little bit more enjoyable. Fortunately, I'm not a heavy coffee drinker and can live without the stuff if need be.

You have to start cutting back. Waking up in the middle of the night thirsty is a sign of dehydration. You have to drink the right amounts of water daily or you will have health problems, and insomnia. Too much caffeine can dehydrate you. You should start by cutting back to a cup of coffee in the morning, that's pretty normal.

Caffeine can be addicting and can cause withdrawal in the form of headaches. I think with any drug probably the idea is to wean yourself off of it gradually. This may be the way you can get off of the caffeine totally. It may be helpful for you and allow you to get the options that you need in order to get off of caffeine.

Quitting cold turkey could be very dangerous depending on how far your addiction has gone. Your body can change drastically because it has been used to caffeine so long. If you are experiencing this kind of withdrawal symptom, then you should do something else. Maybe you could try something lighter? You could even drink tea since it seems to help people calm down and relax.

As an addition to my previous post I remembered before my mother drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee everyday but she slowly withdraw herself from drinking coffee until she drink 1 cup already but now occasionally only. She knew that coffee had anti oxidant properties but in excess off drinking coffee is already bad for our health that is why she changed that habit. It only shows that if we have positive motivation in doing the things we want then we will have satisfaction in our life.

It seems like you are dehydrated as you are waking up in the middle of the night feeling thirsty. Try to drink more water to balance your fluids in the body. Anyway, I do not think you need to see a shrink. But you really need support from family or friends. It is amazing what others can do to motivate you. Maybe a distraction can help you in slowly lessening your caffeine intake. Try going out and walking when the addiction is rising to you. Breathe the fresh air outside. You really do not have to remove caffeine instantly, just try to lessen your intake.