Help! Coffee withdrawal
For some masochistic reason, I've decided to give up coffee for Lent. (All the milk and sugar prob isn't too healthy, plus I shouldn't be so addicted to caffeine at only 21, etc. etc.) Problem is, I'm actually going through withdrawal from the caffeine. I don't want to switch over to soda, because I cut that out of my diet a couple of years ago and really don't want to go back to it. I also don't want to be popping Advil for the next week while I get it out of my system (yes, I drink so much that I get crazy caffeine headaches when I don't get enough coffee -- I'm in bad shape!).
I'm not a huge tea drinker (I just don't like most of them), but I suppose I'm willing to try anything while I wean myself off the caffeine bean. Does anybody have any suggestions -- both tea and non-tea? Or do I just have to suck it up?
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24 Comments:
Well there is a tea called Hojicha that tastes similar to coffee. Its a Japanese tea that they make to use the twigs that are left after mechanically harvesting Sencha. You get the roasted goodness, caffeine and its rather cheap.
MikeA at 7:16PM on 02/25/09
The caffeine headaches should only last a day or two. There was a time (when I was about your age) that I had a job that required me to be there at about 4 am, and by the time anyone else showed up, I was brewing the third pot of coffee. I developed a twitch under one eye. Went cold turkey. I feel your pain.
Now I drink coffee almost every day, but in a reasonable amount.
I'd suggest going with caffeine-free herbal teas. Yes, they aren't really tea, but it's the same concept. Look around and find a flavor you think will be interesting. You won't get the caffeine kick, but if you're used to waking up with a hot beverage, the tea will fill in for that.
Once you've kicked the caffeine habit, limit yourself to whatever you think is reasonable per day, and stick to that.
dbcurrie at 7:16PM on 02/25/09
I did that. It was terrible. My 4 latte a day habit made sure that I would get the headaches for a while. Its that throbbing right by your right eye that feels like a tiny man pushing from the inside. That lasted 4 days. I moved to black tea. It didn't work. In case your body also punishes you for your caffeine excesses and will not respond to other forms of caffeine intake; excedrin migraine works wonders. It has a little caffeine in it so your body gets what it's asking for, but not as much as if you bathed in coffee (which is what you want to do, scalding be damned).
Good luck with lent!
froggo at 7:24PM on 02/25/09
Getting up in the morning to work out or just get moving will ease the headaches and amp up your energy level. So will going for a walk for an afternoon pick-up.
I cut down to one cup a day slowly, after having a mega-coffee habit as a student and working in theater, both of which are mega-caffeinated pursuits. My mother quit cold turkey--she just spent the day in bed and said the day after she was fine. Never drank it again.
HeartofGlass at 7:28PM on 02/25/09
ok, as odd as this sounds... Excedrin Migraine... it has some added caffeine. Yes, I know taking pills isn't always a great idea, but it will help w/ the headache and the caffeine. I usually only take them for my migraines, but it might just help.
and now that i read above, froggo and i had the same idea i guess.
Alm25 at 7:36PM on 02/25/09
there's a caffeine-free coffee called ROMA... available at most health food sgtores. Many friends who have stopped drinking coffee moved over to this drink and they seem to like it in taste and aroma. My grandma has been drinking it for a few years and she doesn't even know my mom made the switch.
Maybe this lent scrifice is a good opportunity to make a lasting change in your diet and get rid of something, once and for all, that apparently is not doing you any good... because the side effects when not consuming it are a sign of the damaging effects it has on your nervous system...
good luck with your lent sacrifice and may it bring lasting changes in your diet...
MadelynRodriguez at 7:41PM on 02/25/09
Thirding the Excedrin Migraine -- it's a lifesaver.
madampince61 at 8:17PM on 02/25/09
Thanks everyone -- my roommate has said the same thing, that I should dive right into the Excedrin, at least for a couple of days.
@db and froggo -- I'm glad you're telling me that it should only last a few days; I had no idea how long this was going to last, and I was not looking forward to it. And froggo, the thought of a coffee bath is now going to haunt my dreams, haha ...
kfarrel3 at 8:46PM on 02/25/09
Oh, I feel your pain. I went cold turkey on coffee (not my decision) after a brutal exam period of 4-5 cups a day, and was in writhing physical pain for 3 or 4 days. Screaming headache, poor sleep, muscle cramps, you name it. Makes me glad I wasn't on harder drugs ;-) Anyways, I caved, had a cup of coffee, then was fine. Seems I just needed a little relief to get me over the bump. But WOW - that was painful.
Lots of water and exercise (it'll raise your heart rate much like caffeine does), and get plenty of sleep. Try to stay away from too much sugar as a replacement, it'll likely just make it worse. Think whole, healthy meals instead. Good luck - it will get easier!
thinkingincrayons at 8:49PM on 02/25/09
The trick is to cut caffeine out gradually. But even if you don't, the headache will eventually go away. Good luck, and hopefully you can keep it up even after Easter!
sorahatch at 10:25PM on 02/25/09
yes, drink lots of water -- and good luck with giving it up for lent.
to me, coffee is a gift from heaven in which i fully partake and appreciate.
pooch at 10:37PM on 02/25/09
I'm sure I'm going to be called out for a cynic here - but isn't the point of "giving something up" for Lent to feel the pain and sacrifice that Jesus endured prior to his execution? Then wouldn't the pain and sacrifice of the decaffeinated headache be what you're seeking? And isn't replacing caffeine from your morning coffee with an Execedrin or a black tea leaf conconction not "giving up" anything at all - but simply replacing caffeine with caffeine?
I don't understand religious hypocrisy. My friend "gave up" wine for Lent. She merely started drinking vodka instead. The way I see it, she did not sacrifice anything.
Let the righteous indignation begin ....
smallkitchen at 7:00AM on 02/26/09
What about making chai? Not that godawful chaitealatteventigodhelpme crap they serve at coffee chain places, poured out of the inevitable Oregon chai box. Real chai. This is how I make one mug of chai (double as necessary):
Boil 3/4 cup water
Add a tablespoon of black tea (I use the loose kind, but you can also just put in one tea bag)
Steep, while boiling for a minute or so.
Add 3/4 cup of milk
Bring back to a boil
Strain (if using loose tea), add sugar, drink.
If you want it stronger, my mom uses even less milk in hers and uses more tea. Experiment to find your taste. Check out some of the recipes here: www.chaientist.com
You can also add spices like cardamom, fresh ginger, etc. We have a homeground chai masala that we use when we want masala chai.
inothernews at 7:08AM on 02/26/09
I'm a fan of sucking it up riding it out. I've given up caffeine for Lent also, and yeah, it kind of sucks for a few days, but then it's over. For me, and maybe I'm a masochist, but I kind of like the headache. Not because it feels good, but because it lets me know exactly where I was physically with the stuff and exactly when my body stopped rebelling. What I did after the giving up caffeine one Lent was to go back to it, but only one or two cups a day or an occasional soda, and never on the weekend. My body no longer has a dependency on it, but I can drink it or not as I choose.
chisai at 7:47AM on 02/26/09
this thread inspired me to try and cut back on coffee. its only 8 am and i've had a pounding headache for the last hour. i'm caving...a quarter cup, sigh.
ssultan23 at 7:59AM on 02/26/09
I have to recommend NOT doing the Excedrin thing. It could definitely cause a rebound reaction, as well as worsen your withdrawal symptoms. Green tea is a nice alternative - less caffeine, and it's also health-supportive. It's especially zippy if you do a half green, half peppermint mix, because mint is a mild stimulant. Since caffeine's effect on the body is to expand blood vessels, you can possible counteract your headaches a bit with some fruit juice in the morning, which has a similar effect (caffeine withdrawal headaches are contractive). But stay away from sugar otherwise, for the most part, because its effect on your body is similar to caffeine's and it could worsen your withdrawal.
Good luck! I love coffee, but only drink a cup a day at this point, after years of going through a pot a day.
producestories at 8:30AM on 02/26/09
I get headaches too if for some reason I'm without my daily coffee. I drink 2, sometimes 3 cups of illy every morning .... I absolutely cannot function without it! I've never tried to quit so I don't have any tips for you, but GOOD LUCK!
caramel at 8:52AM on 02/26/09
@smallkitchen -
Good points, actually. Whenever we cut ourselves off from a dependancy there will be consequential pain involved. Not that we should seek pain for its own sake, but more that we accept it as evidence of our real dependency on, well, God for his help with all things.
Just remember to deliver good points with lotsa love and you'll survive the onslaught.
moibec at 10:05AM on 02/26/09
i would try chai, and possibly hot chocolate would help. you might have to consume them both in mass quantities but they will help. i had to cut out coffee because of stomach problems and i avoided most headaches with a huge cup of black tea in the morning and a chai in the afternoon. also, it sounds stupid but it will help to give yourself more time to wake up in the morning and get enough sleep.
allot at 11:10AM on 02/26/09
Hmm...Just don't be like me and drink a whole pot by yourself on the weekends. I end up having a big headache on monday and tuesday only going to half a pot.
FrostyGhost at 2:11PM on 02/26/09
@smallkitchen -- yes, this is very true, and actually the same answer that I got from my dad when I spoke to him about it. I understand where you're coming from, as I considered this when I first thought about giving up coffee. The reason I ask is because last night I was in really bad shape; my head was pounding horribly to the point where I couldn't get any work done. So far, I haven't had to resort to the Excedrin and I've been able to ride it out, but I wanted to know what I could do if I ended up not being able to handle it. I appreciate your point of view, but please don't call me a hypocrite. I come here for foodie advice, not spiritual.
kfarrel3 at 2:51PM on 02/26/09
two things to try Migraine strength pain killers (They have caffeine). Or eat chocolate, another wonderful source of caffeine. It takes a few days to get off the stuff, but its not worth it. After all, studies show it prevents cancer, and it tastes good.
Meat guy at 4:55PM on 02/26/09
ok, one is you do have to be strong and suck some of it up bcuz your addiction is a reality, I know bcuz I did it one time for two weeks and realized I WAS addicted. Not only headaches, but my bones ACHED feeling like from the center core of the bones they ached!! Man it was tough! Second, u can do things to ease the withdrawal. You can increase your exercise habits, maybe even just stretching and walking bcuz that will increase ur circulation which is causing the headaches. Our blood vessels are starving for the blood flow that they're used to bcuz coffee dialates the blood vessels. Another thing is start drinking decaf before u go cold turkey, this REALLY helps! For lent, give up caff coffee instead of coffee completely. This goes for most things. Start small and the changes WILL STICK!! A yoga instructor told me this week that we should drink a cup of hot water in the morning instead of a stimulant and it would clean our system out a bit and drink the coffee later in the day after our metabolism has gotten going. Well, DONT GIVE UP AND HANG IN THERE, God bless you!!!!
CHANGE_IS_GOOD at 1:47PM on 03/29/09
If someone already mentioned this then I apologize but you've got to check out "Teeccino". www.teeccino.com. I guess you would call it an herbal tea but I've foundit to be a great way to wean yourself off the caffeine. Try the variety pack.
jimmy33945 at 9:15PM on 03/29/09