Red Bull Energy Drinks - Ok or not?
 

Hi my name is Joy and I'm new to Sober Recovery. I have been in a rehab centre for a 2 months and now home for nearly 2 months, but I am drinking quite a lot of redbull. At the rehab centre I went to energy drinks were a big no no and I was wondering what other peoples opinions and experiences were regarding this?

Hi Joy :) I see no issue with them unless your DOC was a vodka redbull or any other drinks with the energy drink as your mixer, then that could be a trigger.

No i've always drunk redbull as a substitute really. Its definately not a trigger.

Hi Joy. Did they state why they are a no no at the rehab centre?

I found stimulants, such as coffee were all wrong for me when I got sober. I finally figured out the "down" from the coffee buzz must have been mimicking a hangover in my system, because I'd get huge alcohol urges.

I'm ok with coffee now in small doses. But early recovery, when my body was healing, no.

Just watch that your not becoming addicted to sugar, I know a couple of people who did after giving up booze and drugs. They say giving up sugar is/was just as hard for them.

Ahhhh red bull
I used to drink as my wake up juice for those hung over
Work days ... ( every work day) :) the fizzyness ( great word)
And I liked the taste... I'd pound a couple before lunch rush
It was free for me!!! I did a google search on it one day
And just didn't like what I found!!

I want to be sober and healthy and red bull isn't part
Of that equation.

Red Bull Drink = Slow Death?

I think they were worried about cross addiction. But im not sure why thats really a bad thing, im not craving or even thinking about drinking?

Welcome to SR, Joy :)

I had some periods in my life (long time ago) when I was using different kinds of legal stimulants - Red Bull was one, for a while. Others were diet pills, not with the intention of losing weight but I liked the effect - nothing like a stronger psychostimulant (I tend to react badly to those) but still uppers. I found myself starting to abuse each of these after a few weeks and then they gave me weird scary symptoms (mostly anxiety, I think) so stopped each time and never even thought about using any other stimulant than coffee for a long time, which I never had problems with.

I think it's like everything: if you find yourself drinking Red Bull to excess and experience negative effects, I would stop. If not, maybe not a problem for you. I do agree with Croissant though about these substances putting us in a limbo between stimulation and crashes. Sugar does that, too.

I personally avoid that kind of stuff like the plague. I have also given up drinking soda.

For me recovery is more than just quitting the booze. It is seeking a healthier lifestyle in every way. Physical activity and exercise, a sensible diet, and natural substitutes for drugs.

I love my tea and I drink a strong cup of Irish Breakfast, with raw honey, every morning. In the evenings I enjoy a cup of chamomile tea, which is good for relaxing, sleep, anxiety issues. It has numerous other health benefits as well.

I guess I am getting off track. Everyone has their own paths to recovery, and I only know what is effective for me.

I have an energy drink on Tuesdays when I start my day at 4 am and finish it late. It's my middle of the day pick me up. I d advise you to drink it in moderation though because they are very hard on the stomach lining and if you drink too many too often they stop working.

When I was in rehab they were banned. The way I see it is they must have had good reason for that. The odd one is ok but excessively they're not good for you, as folk above have said.

A little won't hurt. But a lot is bad news.

Honestly I don't think red bulls are bad to have every now and then. They are terrible for you though. I quit drinking them along with energy shots as I found myself...wait for it...addicted to them! I would drink several a day! I've noticed they contributed to my overall anxiety and since quitting them a couple months ago i feel much better!

Energy drinks are absolutely horrible for your health. I went through a phase of drinking a whole load of them (good old addictive personality) when I was working early shift and it's just bad news.

There's certainly WORSE things you could be doing, but stay away IMO.

I drink Rockstars here and there.. I'm guessing as long as you aint drinking several a day its ok. Better than alcohol is how I look at it.

I do not drink it any more...
It speeds up my heart rate big time and gives me insomnia.
I would not advice it to any one, let alone in recovery!!!
I have it clear!

Please drink something healthier :)

I think i know in myself that im drinking way too many, i know they are unhealthy and as someone who suffers from anxiety its not the best thing for me to be drinking. I think im becoming addicted and thinking honestly im displaying the same behaviour as i did with alcohol. I think its time to stop fooling myself and knock it on the head! Thank you all for your comments i think i just needed to see it in black and white x

I don't drink energy drinks, but I do enjoy coffee. Usually one cup in the morning and another mid afternoon. Black coffee has no sugar or any of the other artificial crap found in energy drinks.

Hi Joy - I'm trying to avoid addictive substances e.g. caffeine and sugar - as others have said they tend to cause highs and lows. That is not to say I've completely abstained but I'm having far less than I was. I make a big pot of herbal tea in the morning - if I'm going to work I put it in a thermos and take it with me. Someone told me about a blend of cumin seeds, coriander seeds and fennel seeds (equal parts of each) - it's really refreshing.

Welcome to the forum Joy1975,

About those energy drinks:

A friend of mine made a habit to drink before workout and then after while working. After a while she started getting pretty bad heartburn. I think that the drinks are especially bad if a person is not eating enough solid food or drinking them in place of a real nutrient filled food.

Enjoy being here!

p.s. - I heard a great radio interview with the CEO/founder of Red Bull...it was very interesting. Two points that I remember are that he intentionally wanted the drink to 'taste bad' and 'be expensive'...decisions based on the inner workings of the human psyche and those attracted to extremes (extreme sports).

:grouphug: