steve-in-kville

This may strike some as an odd question, but did anyone quit the caffeine habit along with booze? Or maybe shortly after quitting booze?

It seems like when I sobered up a few months ago, I drank coffee non-stop until suppertime. I decided to cut way back to just one cup in the morning and see what happens. I quit coffee before for 3 months over the summer, just to prove I could.

What effect might this have on someone in recovery? Positive or negative?

Doug39

I am trying to kick coffee now because it increases my anxiety.

I used to drink 2 huge 20 ounce cups every morning when I was on alcohol.

I am now down to a few gulps a day. I want to cut it out completely.

BrendaChenowyth

You go ahead and drink the crap out of some coffee if you want to. Sorry about the snark but cut yourself a lot of slack right now. Eat the cheesecake and the pizza, too, while you're at it. Then go get on the treadmill. Do shoot for balance. When I quit drinking, I started smoking again. That has tapered off without much effort, because I wasn't really addicted to nicotine. But I think trying to quit multiple vices simultaneously might cause too much deprivation and be overwhelming.

steve-in-kville

I am drinking herbal tea throughout the day instead of coffee. I am anxious to see how it goes.

steve-in-kville

Easy there. Its too close to bedtime for me. Then I for sure won't sleep.

Aellyce

Not so odd and it's discussed here on SR periodically.

I also used to drink coffee all the time from morning to evening, not when I got sober or while I was drinking heavily, but before, when younger. As my alcohol drinking escalated, I lost my interest in coffee and would usually only have 1-2 cups in the morning or nothing when I was too sick with a hangover. I mostly maintained that dosage in sobriety but I do sometimes have another cup later in the day.

I find that I can no longer tolerate more caffeine well. It makes me feel weird physically but most importantly, it increases my anxiety. I am actually not sure these things did not happen earlier in my life, perhaps I was just not so aware or did not make the connection. In any case, I definitely feel that moderate caffeine consumption helps me stay calm. But I also do find that when I am in a scatter-brained state or have low motivation to focus on something, a cup of coffee can help. Maybe the caffeine, maybe just the fact I enjoy it, perhaps both. I personally would not want to cut it out completely.

BrendaChenowyth

lol It reminded me of John Goodman's character in Flight when he brings Denzel Washington carton of smokes in the hospital.. I won't quote what he says, but he is super funny. See it, if you haven't seen it.

And right, you shouldn't overdo it because good sleep is fleeting as it is. But if the idea of switching to tea is giving you anxiety, I mean.. just don't do it, man. If you meant mild uncertainty, that's okay, any change should bring mild uncertainty. But we tend to have enough anxiety in our early sobriety.

Omg I'm still drinking coffee.. smh

Dee74

as long as it's helping and not hindering your recovery do whatever you want Steve.

D

steve-in-kville

John Goodman was in Flight?? Don't remember that...

Great movie!

BrendaChenowyth

How could one miss John Goodman's delightful presence?

steve-in-kville

I already seen that movie twice. Once hammered, the other sober. Don't remember Goodman in the hospital, though. Local library has it.... I'll get it for the weekend.

CAPTAINZING2000

I used to drink my coffee so strong I could feel my hair grow.

I'm down to drinking a half a pot early in the day...
Herbal tea is a better drink.

I got on the energy drink kick for a while. Not a good idea before bed time

REsoberALITY

I quit caffeine not too long before I quit alcohol. I was doing anything I thought I could to calm the anxiety..... (It wasn't the caffeine, obviously) although I'm sure it didn't help anything.

I drink a good decaf now throughout the day. I've never been able to appreciate tea. (I should try it again now that I'm sober)

BrendaChenowyth

It *could* wind up planting the idea of drinking... Heck, I just watched the coco-puff scene on youtube, and that looked appealing to me, not a good thing. I mean I dismiss the feeling, I'm just sayin.

STDragon

Flight (2012) - Quotes - IMDb

steve-in-kville

Fourth day straight of only one cup first thing in the morning. Meh. Not so bad. Yet.

gaffo

I love coffee. I love it even more now that I don't drink. The combination of hangover and coffee was really obnoxious. When I first quit drinking I drank tons of coffee and smoked a lot of weed. Needless to say, I was out of my damn mind! Now that I'm straight (almost three years without the reefer!) I can drink as much coffee as I like with no ill effects.

MelindaFlowers

I enjoy my large cup of coffee in the morning. I'm never giving it up! One of life's simple pleasures.