ADHD Tips

I suffer from ADD (well ADHD, since they’re both now considered one singular disorder and I’ve never been treated for it.) and I do believe that I have an addiction to caffeine. I can’t seem to go a day without having some type of caffienated drink. What would be the best way to quit? I want my mind to be sharp when spring comes around since I’m going to start college.

Caffeine can certainly make the symptoms of ADHD worse as caffeine is a stimulant. It can cause you to be more hyper. . Caffeine is considered the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world.

There are many products that may contain caffeine without your awareness. Be sure to read the label to see if caffeine is listed among the ingredients.

Have you ever said that you can’t function until your morning cup of coffee? Do you find yourself reaching for caffeinated coffee, tea, or soda when you are feeling lethargic? Could it be that you are addicted to caffeine? That all depends on who you ask.

Whether we consume caffeine for pleasure or purpose is a controversial topic. Those opposed to caffeine being addictive claim that we consume it for the pleasure of the product, while those who believe that it is addictive claim that we consume it for the purpose of satisfying our craving for it.

Research has shown that the desire to repeatedly use caffeine is primarily found in heavy caffeine consumers who also had histories of alcohol or drug abuse, and not in moderate consumers.

For anyone looking to decrease or cut out caffeine, experts all recommend doing so slowly. Stopping abruptly can result in unpleasant side effects.

How to Nix Your Caffeine Addiction

Step 1 First, try and go one whole and complete day to see how bad your addiction is. Can’t function at all? You’ve got a bad one. There are two ways to quit: step by step, or cold turkey. For you step by step people, just follow these steps. For those of you who wish to do it cold turkey, skip to step 3.

Step 2 If you’re used to drinking coffee, switch it out for tea. Tea still has caffeine in it (how much depends on the type of tea) but not as much as a cup of black coffee. You’re used to drinking energy drinks? Trade your can of Rock Star for a can of Coke. Again, there’s still caffeine, just not as much.

Step 3 After a few weeks of that it’s time for the next step. Giving it up. I know from personal experience that caffeine withdrawal can involve headaches, irritability, nosebleeds, and fatigue. Part of this is all in your head. But most of this is simply your body freaking out because it can’t get its fix.

For headaches, take any painkiller EXCEPT IBUPROFEN!!! That drug has caffeine in it, and while you’ll 86 your headache, you wont be giving up your addiction.

For stress and irritability, zen out with a good book, a hot shower, anything that takes you away from irritating such as family and work. Take one hour of time each day to do these things and you’ll find you are much more calm and stable.

Step 4 Once you have given up your addiction, you can temp fate a bit by drinking coffee, or an energy drink once every other day. If you’re like me, you LOVE the taste of coffee, and can taste a difference between decaf and regular. Just make sure you dont have much more than that. Otherwise you may need to read this How-to again!