Hi there,
Although I've never had an addiction to caffeine - I've had a similar addiction and that was nicotine. I'd like to share how I managed to kick the smoking habit as I think it will help anyone who is also trying to quit drinking coffee.
Any chemical addiction is hard to get rid of and it is never easy. When you start, you think it's the end of living happily and you feel like life will never be the same because you have to leave behind something that:
1) your body craves,
2) is an enjoyable part of your daily life.
The first thing that is hard to deal with is the craving of your body for the chemical. For myself - the "withdrawal" symptoms lasted for about 5 days. That's the tough part - the first week or so. Because you are dealing with both the habitual and physical cravings. Once you get past the physical cravings - you will probably deal with the habitual cravings for months (but it will only be bad for the 1st month or so).
How I kicked it - well, I think the first week or so is going to be tough no matter what. You will be grumpy and irritable and the people around you have to try and be understanding about it all. One thing that helps is to find something else to do - to keep you really busy - something that you don't normally do - because then you don't relate what you are doing to the habit you are trying to give up.
A lot of coffee drinkers need that first cup of coffee in the morning - well, what about waking up a half hour later in the morning and hopping right into the shower and then head right out the door. Waking up late leaves you no time to prepare a coffee, right? Oh, and make sure you don't have any money on you since that would make it too easy to make a quick stop at a coffee shop, right?
I know that when I quit smoking I wasn't pleasant to be around for about 5 days - and the harder I tried to be nice - the more irritable and grumpy I got. But once I got past the first 5 days - it was easier and I got back to being my old self. Then I had to totally change my schedule around - to beat the habitual craving. For instance, I have friends and family who smoke - for the first 2 weeks or so I had to stay away from them - just long enough to be strong enough to resist the temptation to ask them for a cigarette. Anytime I craved a smoke - I'd do something like grab my dog and go for a walk - or get busy in the kitchen cooking/baking something - or cleaning out a closet - whatever it took to get my mind off that cigarette. During breaks at work - I'd pop up to the museum (upstairs) and look around or I'd go for a walk around the building.
The biggest - and I mean the greatest help you can get is from Jesus. Stay in constant contact with Him when you are trying to kick your bad habit (whether it be smoking or drinking coffee). We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us, right?
I hope this helps. I am in no way giving professional advice - just speaking from my own experience. Any addiction is hard to give up - one thing you have to do is, on the day you quit, say: "I no longer smoke/drink coffee...period!" You have to make that choice and stick with it. You don't "try"...you "do" - know what I mean? And don't forget the most important thing and that is to stay close to Jesus every step of the way!
Your sister in Christ,
Nicole
