The nuclear option

[sigma7]

Dear Lifehacker,

Every afternoon around 4 o’clock I drag myself over to the office Coke machine for a much-needed kick after a post-lunch crash. I know how ridiculously addictive Coke and coffee is, and how quickly one can fall into the habit of needing caffeine just to get through the day.

So how the @#%! do I wean myself off this crap? Vitamin B? Frequent breaks to walk around? That old “drink water, it’ll wake you up” theory only goes so far.

There’s got to be a better way. Please help!

Sincerely,
Caf Fiend

Answer in the post. And I'll attest to all the cold-turkey withdrawl symptoms. Oh, will I ever.

Comments

[daethkow.livejournal.com]

It really is amazing how much easier I get around in the morning now that I'm sans Caffeine. Of course, I was blessed with less-than-severe withdrawal; a nagging headache for a day or two and I was done.

Maybe THAT was my problem back in high school. Maybe if I'd laid off the three or four 32-oz vanilla Dr. Pepper's every damn day, I wouldn't have fucked over every relationship out of obsession with Rachael.

Or then, maybe I still would have. I was pretty stupid back then.

Still, I have to endorse the caffeine-free lifestyle ... except that I REALLY want one of the new Cherry Vanilla Dr. Peppers....

[sigma7.livejournal.com]

I'm not going caffeine-free, merely caffeine-light for now (stupid yes, suicidal not yet). And that's still having a pretty significant effect on me.

And I wish our problems in the developing years were as simple as sugar and caffeine. That and hormones and the social crucible of high school and I think that's it. 'Cause for me? I was having morning coffee every day by fourth grade. ...Maybe that explains some things....

Oh, look, it's almost 5 am and I'm still up. Kill me.

[robing.livejournal.com]

I went cold turkey (anyone else wonder where the heck that phrase came from?) and had a headache for a freakin' week. Mine was doctor suggested, and I have to say I sleep much better now. Used to be the slightest noise would have me wide awake, but now I can sleep through most minor disturbances.
I do still eat chocolate, but haven't really noticed any effects from that. I will say that Pepsi tastes like cough syrup to me now.
*hugs and sympathy*

[sigma7.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks. I'm not doing as bad as, say, House during detox, but there is a pretty potent misery factor. Add to this that I no longer have happy-sleepy meds and you get me up at 6 a.m. wondering if I'm hearing people screaming.

As for "cold turkey," I think the usually-reliable Uncle Cecil whiffs on this one, but I prefer this interpretation. And I need to make a mental note -- it's etymology, not entymology. Difference.