addiction, need help or advice please

I used to drink 1-2 cans of coke a day (and still remain skinny; gotta miss that metabolism!). I gradually cut it down by re-introducing coffee back into my diet. I tried sparkling water too but I realized I needed the caffeine fix. I would love to cut back on caffeine altogether, but at least coffee is healthier than all the chemicals in soft drinks!

I have an addiction to coke as well. I just fit it into my calories. It's not that difficult. Now, if you want to cut it out of your day because of high fructose corn syrup... mmmm


I got nothing for you. I love me some HFCS.

....Mom? Is that you...?

Try going back to Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Zevia Cola... basically, anything without the sugar. Then try replacing the soda with sparkling water (if you need more flavor, add lemon, cucumber, orange, strawberries, etc...) until you don't need soda anymore. I crave carbonation, but not soda, so I drink a LOT of sparkling water. Or if you're hooked on the caffeine, switch to coffee or tea and slowly work on reducing your intake of that. You need to figure out if it's the fizziness, caffeine, or flavor you're hooked on and try to find an alternative to that.

Cold turkey, doll. On both the smokes and the cokes.

Agreed.

I have dealt with friends with coke addictions before.... usually they go to rehab.


But seriously you gotta find something else that you like and can replace. what does Coke have...... caffeine and sugar. try some coffee for the caffeine and maybe some delicious mango juice for the sugar part. Its important to break bad habit rituals like smoking first thing in the morning, try to do some meditation or deep breathing exercises instead. If the "*kitten*" are your reason for the coke problem (still thinking about rehab) then stop smoking ftw

Will power. That's really what it comes down to. Change the habit via sheer will power and the addiction will take care of itself. Slowly change the regimen. Try this: Pour a half a can into a cup and drink only that with your *kitten*.....then slowly switch it up with diet...and then cut them all out together. Like weight loss, it's a slow process, but you can do it!

Addiction presents itself in all forms - it can be drugs, alcohol, sex, fast cars and soda. It doesn't mean it's any less serious.

I've never drank a lot of soda (apart from sparkling water) and never full fat soda so I can't really advise properly.

What I would suggest is cutting down slowly - like, really slowly. So instead of drinking 5 cans a day, drink 4.5 cans for 5 days/week. Then cut down to 4 cans for same time, then three, and so forth. Cut it down so gently that it is not as noticeable - don't go cold turkey because you are more likely to cave in to your addiction. I don't know if this would work, but could you dilute the coke with sparkling water? So drink "5" cans (but is actually 3 plus sparkling water).

I'd agree with the poster that said having a big glass of water beforehand may help.

I was addicted to alcohol (not full blown alcoholism, but very dependent on it) - I was fortunate in that illness prevented me from really drinking, therefore I stopped more or less cold turkey, but I've never taken it back up again and I feel so much better for not drinking.

My ex had an addiction to energy drinks - he drank 3+ a day and felt horrendous drinking them, but equally as horrendous off them. It won't be easy, but it WILL be a incredibly healthy step to make. The caffeine/sugar withdrawal will be the hardest part but you can do this - just think of how much money you'll save plus the health benefits. Set yourself realistic goals. Speak to a doctor or health professional about it.

Good luck x

methedone helped me...

put down the coke, give up the smoke, and start being awesome! I was a pepsi addict, first thing in the moring. one day I just stopped cuz I wanted to get healthy.