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MrNiceGuy
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Sep 03, 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Fairview, Tennessee
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 Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject: I Am Addicted To Caffeine, BIGTIME!!! HELP!!! |
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Yes, that's right! The subject says it all. And I have Asperger Syndrome, too--diagnosed.
What happens to me if I do not get any caffeine?: Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep! Zzzzzzzzzz. I just simply cannot stay awake and alert! Without caffeine, I will sleep off and on all day and all night long. It's crazy, I know. And I cannot help, but fall asleep. And I am drowsy even when I am awake. So it's like I must have it! I must have my caffeine and plenty of it or can I expect to fall asleep. And what does that lead to. . . yep, you guessed it! The 'P' word: Procrastination! Sigh.
So what happens if I do get caffeine, and that is, enough of it to keep me awake and alert? Well, I get hyperactive. Yes, that's right. The 'H' words hits me and hits me hard! I get so hyperactive that I cannot sit still or lay still for one fleeting moment to give me enough time to sit down and focus and concentrate on what is important to me, or what should be important to me. Instead, I stay on my feet and pace the floor. And think, think, think, think, think. I am a thinking person and there really is nothing wrong with that. The problem is that I think way too much and don't take any action on my thoughts. If I don't take any action, then I get nothing done, I am unproductive and, and... you guessed it! I just procrastinate some more and procrastinate and procrastinate and procrastinate! The word 'procrastination' is my first, middle, and last name and has been for as far back as I can remember. I believe that my caffeine addiction is a big part of this problem and much to blame.
So help me out here. I feel like I need to find a replacement for my caffeine addiction--that is, something I can do instead of drinking caffeine that will give me enough energy to stay awake and alert, but not be hyperactive. I get a vast majority of my caffeine from soda pop and I know that is not good for me. Please give me some ideas, here. I do feel trapped, stuck in my addiction and like there is no way out. I need some real practical medical advice and I need it fast.
HELP!!!  |
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LoveableNerd
Velociraptor
Joined: Apr 24, 2008
Posts: 432
Location: Kentucky, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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I don't have the answer MrNiceGuy, but I can certainly relate to the problem. My second post on this forum was about my own bad procrastination problem.
It could be a caffeine addiction though because I probably drink the equivalent of 6 cups of coffee in the morning, and at least 2 or 3 cokes or glasses of tea during the day/evening. And if I don't, it is really difficult to wake up and get rolling. Sounds like we may have the same problem.
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Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people.---George Bernard Shaw
8th Cmdmt: Thou Shalt Not Steal. |
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DukeGallison
Snowy Owl
Joined: Feb 24, 2008
Age: 24
Posts: 157
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DevonB
Snowy Owl
Joined: Mar 14, 2008
Age: 39
Posts: 169
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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If Caffein tires you out...it's probably and ADD reaction. Stimulants tend to calm us down.
As for the addiction...remember that addictions fuel themselves. Alcoholics may hate the alcohol, and it starts to harm them, but they can't live without it.
So the answer is to quit. As with any addiction there will be withdrawal. And there will be lots of fatigue and tons of irritation and mood swings. Yes, even with caffeine.
Hints...drink LOTS of water. Get Sleep, but limit it, no matter HOW tired you are, to no more than 9 hours. Exercise. It's true. It will help you stay awake and more alert and focused. Take short walks.
Some people quite cold turkey, others wean themselves off of it. There are plenty of sites on the internet that will help. As will your doctor if you ask for advice. |
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LeKiwi
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 27, 2007
Posts: 1923
Location: The murky waters of my mind...
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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Right.
The problem with caffeine is it actually makes you crash afterwards, which will be why you need more more more...
So. First up, cut the caffeine out. Totally. Drinking lots of water is good advice. Even try fizzy water if you think it might help having the soda feeling... Dandelion tea is a good caffeine-free coffee substitute.
Sleep lots, and stick to a routine... bed at the same time each night, up at the same time each morning.
Eat lots of fresh fruit, as it'll give you an energy boost naturally. Nuts and seeds are high in protein which will give you energy too, as opposed to carb-and-fibre fruits. Veges are good.
Just try it for a week first, and reward yourself at the end if you can stick with it... buy yourself a treat, a new CD or something (NOT CAFFEINE!). Then see if you can extend it a bit longer, and longer... small goals at first.
You'll get there! I can't stand caffeine anymore, it makes me feel dreadful, and I used to drink a fair amount of the stuff. 
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"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain
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MrNiceGuy
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Sep 03, 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Fairview, Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Truth is, I will be going on vacation soon to Panama City Beach, Flordia (May14th-19th)!!! This, I am sure will be a perfect time to try and wean myself off of the caffeine. |
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MrNiceGuy
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Sep 03, 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Fairview, Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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| LeKiwi wrote: | Right.
The problem with caffeine is it actually makes you crash afterwards, which will be why you need more more more...
So. First up, cut the caffeine out. Totally. Drinking lots of water is good advice. Even try fizzy water if you think it might help having the soda feeling... Dandelion tea is a good caffeine-free coffee substitute.
Sleep lots, and stick to a routine... bed at the same time each night, up at the same time each morning.
Eat lots of fresh fruit, as it'll give you an energy boost naturally. Nuts and seeds are high in protein which will give you energy too, as opposed to carb-and-fibre fruits. Veges are good.
Just try it for a week first, and reward yourself at the end if you can stick with it... buy yourself a treat, a new CD or something (NOT CAFFEINE!). Then see if you can extend it a bit longer, and longer... small goals at first.
You'll get there! I can't stand caffeine anymore, it makes me feel dreadful, and I used to drink a fair amount of the stuff. |
Well, what can I say, other than the fact that I gave in to temptation today and I could not under any circumstances force myself to stay awake. I slept for about 3 hours during the day today. I could not help it. It just happened. Just like that. Yes, I am THAT addicted. Of course, this is only the first day in a very long time that I have not had any caffeine at all today. So should I worry about this or think positive and just think, "Okay, this is only day 1 and I slept 3 hours today. Tomorrow I will try to spend less time than that sleeping during the day, and less time the next day, and less time the next day, and so on until I don't sleep at all." Or something along those lines. But you get the idea.
Am I on the right track or do I need a change of gameplan? You tell me.  |
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Catster2
Deinonychus
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Age: 28
Posts: 307
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:10 am Post subject: |
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| I am really addicted to Coca Cola probably due to the caffeine in it I have tried weening myself off it but being aspie the will power has got the better of me. However I might try again very soon. |
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Kirov
Blue Jay
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Joined: Feb 05, 2008
Age: 21
Posts: 81
Location: Rzhev
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 6:41 am Post subject: |
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| Catster2 wrote: | | I am really addicted to Coca Cola probably due to the caffeine in it I have tried weening myself off it but being aspie the will power has got the better of me. However I might try again very soon. |
Anything caffeinated I usually get my hands on, otherwise I don't reach peak brain power. Without it I get massive headaches within the first few days. T_T So it's not likely I'll quit anytime soon.
Also, it's a great mind expander :]
-Anzan (Kirov) |
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