MissOverIt

Hi all,
I keep hearing to avoid caffeine early in recovery but why? I drink about 2 cups of coffee a day- one in the morning and one around 2pm. Is this something I should cut out for now? My morning cup is a daily joy- I might just freak the beep out w/o it. Haha.

Thanks!
Erica

biminiblue

Some people have a lot of anxiety in early sobriety and caffeine can make it worse.

I drank coffee - not as much in early sobriety, but I drank it.

Nonsensical

Where did you hear that? There's been coffee at every AA meeting I've ever been to.

I guess if you're feeling highly anxious - not unusual in early sobriety -it might be a good idea, but I've never heard it as a blanket statement for all.

HenryKrinkle

I drank coffee too. I tried to go without it for a few days, but found I felt worse without it. I think it would be safe to say everyone is different.

ScottFromWI

I had to cut back quite a bit, especially when I first quit because the caffeine made me really anxious and jittery. 2 cups a day doesn't seem like a large amount though. I usually mix half regular and half decaf and have a cup or 2 at the most.

Soberwolf

I drink tea but when i was doing group therapy the person there doing the class would allow no tea coffee whatsoever

i thought it is a bit extreme but ive heard of others say things about caffine

i drink maybe 4-5 cups of tea in any 24h period

Charlie117926

When I started to get sober (still permanently trying but doing good so far) I went crazy on the diet Mountain Dew. I have since weaned off of it and now I am strictly water, unsweetened Ice tea and a good cup of flavored creamer with a little bit of coffee

MissOverIt

I see. Thanks for the feedback.

Non, I've heard it hear a lot from members giving early recover tips: "eat right, rest, avoid caffeine" I chucked a bit too because coffee is always a staple of recovery meetings. I can also see how it would increase anxiety levels and to avoid if you're already anxious. I personally can't drink any before a stressful work event- I get clammy and insecure.

totfit

A couple of cups a day will not make one go "over the edge", but the general rule of thumb is to avoid much of it because of the stimulant effect and anxiety response. Smoking is much more an issue, though mention that to someone addicted and listen to their response.

grubby

Caffeine is harmless in my opinion, it only really becomes a problem if:

a) too much is drunk at the same time

or

b) you consume it too close to bed-time

I heard it might contribute to anxiety, but i think in moderation it's fine.

Personally i have a fairly large dose of caffeine every single day - about 1 large cup and a half. Still sober, will be 1 year clean this upcoming February

SoberCAH

I have never lost a job or gottten arrested as a result of drinking caffeine.

They wouldn't let us have it when I was in treatment.

But I drink coffee and soft drinks and I have ever since I got out.

sugarbear1

for me, it disrupted my poor sleep, which was when my brain was relearning how to sleep without alcohol....

it also messed with my sugar levels and I would get a bit of what I called hypoglycemia (light headed, needing to eat) kinds of things

I never stopped drinking coffee in recovery, but I do watch when and how much I do drink

happyandfree

In the beginning, I stopped drinking coffee cause it increased my anxiety and made me feel irritable. Didn't drink any for about 6 weeks. Now, at 9 months I am back to 2 cups (mugs...) per day with no problem. Everyone is different. ...

Chillly

I cut out the coffee.. gives me anxiety

Tower

Drink coffee if you want to. No need to walk on eggshells in sobriety. This is overthinking it. You don't drink, which is good. just have a few cups of coffee if you want to. That's getting back to real-life.

Unless you have an adverse response to coffee. Then go for the decaf.

Tower

Drink coffee if you want to. No need to walk on eggshells in sobriety. This is overthinking it. You don't drink, which is good. just have a few cups of coffee if you want to. That's getting back to real-life.

Unless you have an adverse response to coffee. Then go for the decaf.

Coldfusion

At the detox where I was a patient, we were not allowed caffeinated coffee, so I had no caffeine in my first week of recovery. I am still sober two years later, but drink coffee daily now.

ThatHombre

At my AA meeting tonight, almost everyone was getting a cup of coffee, including me. It's really cold here so it was nice to sit and sip on it while listening.

stephendu

That sounds made up. My recovery location had coffee 24/7.