Caffeine quitting buddies?

[Slime_Punk]

I'm at this weird point in my life where I've given up being 100% sedentary, smoking cigarettes, vaping, eating terrible food, drinking alcohol, and probably lots of other things I can't remember, but now, caffeine is seriously bothering my system and becoming a potential health problem.

It started out as palpitations when I increased my dosage like a moron (around the time my dog almost died), and being the moron that I am sometimes, I just blamed it on my diet, stress or whatever else was going on at the time because I didn't feel like dealing with it. Now, my insomnia is getting worse, I'm giving myself frequent nausea, and the palpitations kick up every time I throw more on top of it. Society seems to think caffeine is all fun and games, but I've always been super sensitive to its effects, and now I'm downing like 600+ MG per day.

Is anyone else having problems with caffeine or other addictions, who might want an accountability partner on the spectrum? Maybe we could just do a check-in once per day, per week or something and motivate each other to stay on course. Quitting caffeine is one of the hardest things I've ever tried to do (with many serious attempts all ending in failure), and this time I'd really like to get it right.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I had this routine a while back,...had similar symptoms,...felt like crap. I was able to quit for a while,...after having some "caffeine" withdrawal headaches for a few days. I thought I was doing OK, but I have found that when I am taking my L-theanine without the caffeine, my cognition is not quite as good. My regimen is more "moderate" now. I am taking my L-theanine (400mg am/200mg pm) on my days at work with a 300mg caffeine energy drink at lunch while sipping a 1L bottle of water throughout the day. On my days off of work,...no caffeine or L-theanine. I am thinking it may be good to give my body a bit of time to clear the chemicals out of my body a few days a week,...and to not develop a tolerance.

 

[Aspychata]

Caffeine is like carbs to me. I pretty much need that boost. But l am sorry to hear your issues you are having. Perhaps it's better to look at addiction in itself. Perhaps thinking if l drink coffee l am fueling my addiction. So to stop the addiction, I need to consistently say no. Are you drinking coffee? You could switch to decafe. Then you would get the coffee taste and trick your taste receptors. You may need to taper down slowly to give your body a chance to slowly adjust.

I hope l am not coming off as insensitive. I have dealt with a few obsessive compulsive behaviors which l believe started because l was upset with other areas in my life that l have zero control over. Perhaps it's a unhealthy coping skill?

 

[Judge]

I still selectively use caffeine when I need a boost. Though I'm also acutely aware of how easily I can get hooked on it, where the withdrawal comes with a very nasty three-day headache.

While I enjoy a morning cup of coffee, if I really want it I just bypass the caffeinated one for the decaffeinated Dunkin' Donuts which is quite good. I rarely drink caffeinated soft drinks any more. Knowing how really good- and really bad caffeine can be.

 

[Raggamuffin]

I quit caffeine a few times, but I never found it to be as damaging as my history with weed and booze.

Ed

 

[Neonatal RRT]

"... I never found it to be as damaging as my history with weed..."

Off topic: Should You Use CBD for Asperger Syndrome?. ..." THC could prove to be extremely detrimental. THC has been shown to lower anandamide levels – and as explained earlier, there is often too little anandamide in people with Asperger syndrome anyway. Lowering the level further could worsen symptoms rather than improve them."...

 

[Raggamuffin]

Substance abuse is a lot more prevalent in those with ASD. So even if it's not helping, or is physiologically detrimental - it doesn't mean it won't be used/abused.

I knew both weed and alcohol were a false economy, but I self-medicated on and off with them throughout my adult life. Just over 1000 days alcohol free now and 9 days weed free. We'll see how it goes this time. My guess is that I'll probably return to one or both of them in the future.

Ed

 

[Aspychata]

Coping is defintely difficult. And prescriptions side effects are dismal. Coffee sometimes can cause issues. But l still can't walk away from it.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

I do not drink coffee, just too bitter for me.

 

[Fino]

I have a small amount of caffeine in the form of black tea. I used to have as much caffeine as you, but I didn't have any trouble stopping. I've only had addictions to anxiety medications.

 

[Jonn]

Society seems to think caffeine is all fun and games, but I've always been super sensitive to its effects, and now I'm downing like 600+ MG per day.

I'm hypersensitive also.

Caffeine caused me emotional instability.
Now that I am virtually off it (some chocolate at times), I am solid as a rock.

I, too, had heart palpitations, gastric reflux, and insomnia.
The bloody stuff is addictive, especially with sugar.
Wean yourself off the drug as fast as you can.

 

[Lemon Zing]

I have the same problem. Been having two plastic cups of this iced coffee each day. I think if I don't have one, I soon get a terrible headache.

 

[Jonn]

I have the same problem. Been having two plastic cups of this iced coffee each day. I think if I don't have one, I soon get a terrible headache.

You probably will get headaches for a while.
I did. It is caffeine withdrawal, as you would know.
It is worth working through the headaches.
I have heard increased water consumption helps as it does after a hangover, but don't quote me.

I recommend people, who are hypersensitive to caffeine, change to decaf.
Even with decaf, there is a small amount of caffeine, but it doesn't cause me any problems like "real" coffee does for me.

 

[Jonn]

Substance abuse is a lot more prevalent in those with ASD. So even if it's not helping, or is physiologically detrimental - it doesn't mean it won't be used/abused.

O/T

When I first joined an autism community elsewhere, I naively thought those on the spectrum tended to avoid substance abuse.
I know better now.
Live and learn.

For some, illicit drugs mitigate the consequences of being on the spectrum.
One of my best friends used it this way but was able to wean themselves off the habit.

I have never indulged, and I am not an advocate.
But I am not being judgemental.
Everyone has a unique set of circumstances to deal with in life.

BTW, there are worse things in the world than being a caffeine junkie.

 

[Metalhead]

If you want to quit caffeine or nicotine, do not join AA.

 

[Slime_Punk]

If you want to quit caffeine or nicotine, do not join AA.

Hah, I've heard that!

I've kind of been interested in going to AA at various points in my life (coming up on 2 years this month) but I don't want to come out of there smoking like a chimney like I used to! At my worst I think I was doing 3 packs a day, which is... quite a lot for someone as young as I was.