3 Years!
Before you jump to conclusions, it's not my Hive birthday, that was in
January. Today it's been three years since I quit drinking coffee! Today I suddenly remembered, which is a miracle as searching for my old posts confirmed it was exactly three years ago, on 6th September 2018!
This is a screenshot of the post I did three years ago. I remember those days very well, can't get them out of my head. It was a very big decision, that needed to be done and don't regret it.
Now looking back, what a journey it has been! I've learned a lot about addiction.
Quitting
Quitting was easier than I would have imagined. The first few days were quite rough, I had all the withdrawal syndromes. How do I know that? I've never been a drug or alcohol addict and I want to keep it that way, but have read about withdrawal syndromes and once I started experiencing them, I know how serious the situation was.
I knew it would be tough to quit, so I thought it would be clever to start on Saturday. If you're a coffee drinker or a smoker, you know what the first coffee or cigarette means in the morning. I woke up and had a glass of water instead of having my usual morning coffee. My body was sending me signals, trying to tell me something is missing. First I got a headache which got worse during the day. Then at about 3 or 4 pm I felt sleepy, nausea, started yawning and felt that my strength is gone, there's nothing left in me, I can't do anything. I felt sick, literally! By dinner time my headache got worse, it was killing me, I was dizzy, cold, shivering, so went to bad early hoping the next day would be better or at least easier.
And the next day was a bit better but still had the withdrawal symptoms which were torturing me for another couple of days, then stopped. My life got easier and managed to stay away from coffee for two months. source
This is how I felt when I first wanted to quit drinking coffee. It lasted a few months, after which I went back to my old habits. At first it was just one coffee, to prove myself I can have one and stay away from it, then another one and you know the rest.
This time I knew I need to do it differently, otherwise I would be just kidding myself again, so I stopped for good. The symptoms were the ones above mentioned. Weakness, headaches, shivering, the whole package. I was literally sick, but knew it would last a few days and then I would be free.
What's Happened In These Three Years?
I'm glad to report that I resisted temptation and have not had a coffee ever since. At first I was craving for a cup of coffee, but the craving started to weaken after a week and then totally disappeared. Now I'm at the point at which I don't even like the smell of it.
I mean I still have great respect for coffee and when I'm at a coffee shop, I look at the variety they are offering, look at the coffee cups and admire everything, take deep breath, enjoy the smell for a little, but then it starts to bother me. My family and friends are still shocked though, as they knew how addicted I've been to coffee and not many would have thought I would succeed.
The funny thing about it is when I am visiting or meeting people I hardly know and I'm offered coffee. I say thank you and let them know I don't drink coffee. Many are surprised as the majority of adults usually drink coffee. I'm often asked if I like coffee, to which my reply always is I love coffee. Then comes the question Why don't you drink it then? To which I'm always replying: Because I'm an addict! Imagine the shock on their face 😁
It's a bit confusing, but even though I quit, I still consider myself an addict. I know once I have a cup, I would be back to my old habits in no time. One can always find justification why they would need it and that's the slippery road to hell.
I See Things Differently Now
Since then, I had time to analyze why I got to the point where I had no choice but to quit and how it has been like without coffee. Now I understand addicts (not that I approve addiction) and know how to avoid getting addicted to something.
Sometimes I'm in trouble because I have low blood pressure, which is making my life difficult at times. This is why my doctor has recommended drinking 2 cups of coffee per day which led to drinking coffee strong espresso 24/7.
Sometimes, when I need sharp mind and I'm feeling literally sick due to low blood pressure, I have an energy drink (most of the time only half as it's enough), which is just as bad as coffee. The good thing about this is that these are extreme situations and rare, I only have max 2 energy drinks per year, not more, which is not that bad.
When someone is telling me they need coffee because they have low blood pressure, I am usually just smiling 🙂
Looking back, I can't believe it's been 3 years already. I'm proud of what I have achieved and hope this experience can help me avoid getting addicted again. Addiction is not good, whatever you are addicted to, it takes your freedom away.
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I started drinking it approximately two years ago, around the November of 2019. I mostly drink Cappuchino. And often. Almost every day. I do not consider myself a coffee addict. I mostly drink it, because it tastes good. Sometimes I drink it to avoid tiredness/sleepiness. Sometimes literally to avoid falling asleep.
Yeah, that's how addiction starts.
Nowadays sometimes I sleep less than 5 hours, so this is why I am tired sometimes. So sometimes I drink it, because the situation "requires" it (I do not like to fall asleep during work).
Hopefully I will not be a coffee addict. I should sleep more, but I often go to sleep after midnight, and I wake up at/around 05:30. At least in the weekdays. I usually sleep more in the weekends, and I do not drink coffee in those times, only when "necessary" (almost every day from Monday to Friday).
Good for you, maybe it is time for me to think something no need to quit
Good luck!
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Congratulations @erikah! I stopped drinking coffee at home almost two years ago and I experienced the same. It was "rough" as you wrote in the beginning. I noticed that I was addicted to it too. Now I drink decaf at home and a cup or two regular coffee outside a month. I feel myself healthier and clearer :)
In that case congratulations to you too! It's definitely not easy but doable, if you have the necessary strength and determination. We won't regret it, trust me.
I read this post and I see resilience.
Deciding to quit a habit is one thing, doing it is another.
Reading through, I think about things in my life I need to let go and I should start on the journey right away!
Congrats. It must have been very difficult. I love coffee too. Ever since I stopped working from home I was able to drastically reduce my intake to 2 cups in the morning.
In truth, quitting habits such as cigarettes or coffee are more difficult than it seems, especially because of its social acceptance and being able to be consumed anywhere without restrictions, however when it affects health or gets out of control it is better to withdraw. .
Addiction can be crazy. We are all dopamine addicts but everyone’s fix is different. I realized a few days ago that the biggest reason I feel compelled to eat lunch outside the house is that in much more likely to have a sugary drink or dessert and the possibility of that tricks me into feeling an uncontrollable urge to be outside. Funny isn’t it. Not only does it pull us to the same behavior but it pulls us to behaviors which encourage that kind of behavior.
Great job. I would like to get to a point where I could eat some chocolate or drink a sweetened latte once a week and not feel a strong urge the rest of the time. I know it must be possible but for now I need to detox.
No word can describe how resilient you are for the last 3 years, congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your story! Interesting perspective. ❤️☕️
Thank you!
Great job and welcome to the club. One fun fact about me is that I've never had a cup of coffee in my life. My parents always needed it before they did anything, so as a kid, I decided that I didn't want to be dependent on a drink that would hold up Christmas presents (for example). I've had a few sips by accident from wrong drink orders, etc., and will never touch the stuff. I've surely had plenty of slow mornings and days without caffeine, but feel that I need to provide my own energy/with nutrition. I also haven't had soda in nearly 8 years besides the random time it's in a mixed drink I'm handed. Since you mentioned it, I also haven't had an energy drink in the last 4-5 years as well and will keep it that way. While you had a reason to have it for your blood pressure, I've always felt that they were a scapegoat and cheat code for making up for bad decisions for an unnatural boost.
Plus, think of all the $$ you've saved by beating your habit? Compounding rewards there.
Thank you! It's nice to see like minded people as usually when I'm telling people I quit, those who are addicted are trying to defend themselves (not that anyone is attacking or criticizing them) and by doing that, they are trying to convince me of what I'm doing is wrong. It's a really strange thing because everyone is free to do whatever they want. The bottom line always is that one or two coffees are needed a day 😁 To which I always say, not for me.
If you think deeper, when you get to the point where you don't make a step in the morning without coffee, you may ask yourself, who's in control of your life as the answer is definitely not you, but coffee. Been there, done that, don't want to get there ever again.
That's a very good point. That is what I had to do after quitting, especially with low blood pressure and I did it! It is possible, I'm the living proof and if I was able to do it, so is everyone.
Soda? 😁 Yeah, another thing I quit years ago. The most damaging drink you can have.
Energy drinks are the last I touch and only in extreme situations, most of the time I have half and the other half is going down the drain 🙂
At the end of the day everyone knows what's best for them and should also know actions have consequences.
Thank you for the nice feedback and keep up the good work! I always love to read your posts, have a great respect for what you do, honestly!
Congratulations @erikah dear! You have the discipline and the determination! Cheers to your achievement!
Thank you very much dear @mers!