[AnnieMc]

I feel so addicted to caffeine that my day doesn't start until I have coffee or soda. I tried to stop drinking it for a week or so but I got headaches and I felt exhausted! Is anyone else addicted to caffeine that doesn't want to be?

[Ms Kylee]

My doc gives me heck about it every visit. Last visit, I told him I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. Caffiene and chocolate are my only vices and leave me alone.

BTW.. the headaches are a normal withdrawl symptom. I can't handle them, so I keep on being addicted.

[SDS_RN]

I'm also addicted to caffine! All I drink daily is coffee at home & at work. I rarely drink H2O and once in a while I'll have some juice but for the most part it's coffee or tea. If I am busy and don't have time to get coffee in the am I start to get a HA then I grab a cup and it's gone. I however, love my caffine and I don't think I'm giving it up in the near future. Getting through the withdrawls is the hardest part and I hope it goes well for you. Good luck to you.

[Baxtersmom]

Yes--that is my day too. I have actually kicked the habit, gone thru the headaches and resumed the behavior just because I love that rush. Guess that is the hallmark of addiction.

[MB37]

I'm a happy caffeine addict, and I've never had a physician or NP ever recommend that I stop. I drink about a pot (10-12 cups) each day. Then I switch to tea. Maybe since I also smoke and drink they figure coffee is the least of my problems? I do not have an addiction to alcohol, so that won't be a problem to stop for the pregnancy we're planning soon, and I think my willpower might be strong enough to at least take a break from smoking during that time, but I don't know how I'll function without coffee. I thought maybe I could try mixing regular and decaf so I don't get more than 300 mg/day and cutting down to 6 cups, but even that sounds really tough. I started drinking massive quantities of strong, black coffee at 15, and I think this is one addiction I'll never break. I can fall asleep while drinking my 8th cup, so it doesn't even wake me up anymore. It just makes me functional. All my classmates make fun of me for drinking so much of it it's that bad.

[SmurfGwen]

I am also a caffeine addict- have been for many years. I have also built up such a tolerance that my co-workers are STUNNED at the amount of caffeine I need to get through a shift. I'm talking two large-sized energy drinks, 1 liter and one 20 oz diet coke, and probably 32 or so ounces of coffee. And that's just in 8 hours. The irony in this is that I tolerate massive amounts of this stimulant, but give me a miniscule dose of sudafed, and I'm immediately in SVT (rates higher than 200)
I truly need to quit for two very good reasons- it simply isn't healthy with a history of SVT, and I form calcium oxalate kidney stones and really shouldn't be drinking coffee, tea, or dark colas.
Like you, I've tried to quit, but the headaches, fatigue, even muscle aches are terrible. It is a true physical withdrawal. I also have a social aspect to it- I was raised in a family where making coffee for someone was a way to express affection (really, I kid you not)
I used to joke about forming a 12-step group for caffeine addicts, but I always ran into the same dilemma- What would you serve at the meetings?

[Tweety]

Yes, I horribly addicted. I drink several cups a day and really don't want to be addicted to caffeine.

My blood pressure is borderline hypertension and I'm trying a natural approach to avoid getting on medication.........do you think quitting six cups of strong coffee a day will help witht that? DUH............

I definately need some inspiriation.

[nrsang97]

I am right there with you all caffine addicts. I switched from regular to diet pop so I could still get the caffine without all the calories. I remember as a teen getting bad headaches from caffine withdrawal.

[Meriwhen]

I'm addicted, and any day I don't drink coffee I feel like I'm running at less than standard speed. Actually, God help anyone who's in my way before that first cup of coffee. I'm trying to get myself down to 2 a day, but it's not easy. I keep slipping in decaf when I can but it's not the same.

I had been worse in the past--the side effect of working night shifts was that you basically drink caffeine constantly (as we all know). The withdrawal I went through when I got pregant was horrible.

[Thunderwolf]

Wow...yes...caffeine...add that to my list as well. Practicaly raised on the stuff. My grandmother's philosophy long ago was that if you were able to sit at the breakfast table, no matter what age, you got a cup of hot black coffee. Nowadays, I can drink it by the pots...doesn't even daze me. I can even drink a pot right before bed and sleep like a baby. However, without the brew...yes, I feel the withdrawal...headaches with my head feeling like mush. Without it, it definately throws off my concentration...another withdrawal symptom for me.