Help I've got an addiction to the jitters!

[RawSar]

I've been thinking about doing a short juice fast soon. I have to go in for surgery sometime next year (not yet scheduled) and want to do a long juice or maybe water fast during that time to help heal and recover better.
Unfortunately I am a coffee addict! I have been on and off for the last year.
Every time I quit I get very painful migraines and flu like symptoms.. its awful and I hate... But I keep going back to coffee..:mad:.Other than my grande americano, or monster energy drink I follow the raw vegan diet..
Is anyone going through the same thing?
Has anyone tried to quit at the start of a juice/water fast? - How was this for you? Do you still drink coffee after completing the fast? :confused:
I'm having a really hard time letting go.. I know how bad it is for me but I have become very emotionally attached...I've been drinking coffee since I was 13 and energy drinks since they first came out! Every time I tried to quit my energy level drops sooooo low I have a hard time getting out of bed, let alone work out !! I'm not sure what I'm hoping to get in response if any response.. I guess some motivation?
I want to do this fast and I want to do it right, but some days I keep thinking I could do a fast and still get my caffeine fix :eek: Has anyone done this before?!?!?!

[rawviveyourself]

Research what coffee and energy drinks do to the body biochemically and that should turn you off to them permanently.:eek:

You understand your emotional attachment, so that's a great start. Trust that you will not have detox symptoms for the rest of your life!

Source your inner power to get back to a place where you are in charge of your choices and don't feel like a slave to your cravings.

Yerba mate tea is a nice transition drink if you need one to get you over this phase.

Start calling your green smoothies "energy drinks" instead!:) And call the energy drinks you currently drink "poison"- which is what they are in the body.

In going 100% raw, we peel back layers and become more sensitized and closer to our true selves - that can be scary and instinct might want us to keep some part of ourselves just out of reach with certain foods/drinks. Once we learn to become comfortable with that part of ourselves, the cravings fall away.

Good luck, my dear!

[spicyfull]

When I gave up Coffee, years age, I just stopped drinking it. I still like to smell Coffee. Sometimes I go to the Fresh Ground Coffee aisle and stand there and Smell the Coffee. Exercise can always be an asset to fighting an addiction.

[Revvell]

What you are experiencing is wanting to feel sensation. Find other ways to do so where you wont be hurting yourself. Train with kettlebells, iron clubs (might start w/ wooden ones first), get out and MOVE! The body needs sensation. You've just gotten use to one; train yourself and enjoy others which bring health, not destruction.

Revvell (http://www.Revvellations.com/shopping)

[rawviveyourself]

I still like to smell Coffee. Sometimes I go to the Fresh Ground Coffee aisle and stand there and Smell the Coffee.

Spicyfull - you are so wise! Aromatherapy crosses the blood-brain barrier, and in this case, coffee is a very powerful scent!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91742289

[oceanee]

Caffeine is horribly addictive and the best thing I can tell you is that once you get through the lethargy of no longer putting that caffeine buzz into your system you will be amazed how much better you feel.
You'll have so much more energy all day long and into the night ~ when the headaches come welcome them as they are detox.
As with any addiction first comes recognition which you have so you are on your way !
I gave up coffee decades ago and have watched many a friend with this addiction. When they quit the caffeine they are so much more energetic . Some switched to herbal tea but if I were you GS or Green juice:D.
Good Luck !
Oceanee

[RawHeaven]

Consider quitting the coffee first while eating raw foods. Then juice or water fast.

It will be tough and you will have those awful headaches and everything, but after you get through the caffeine withdrawals then you give your body a better foundation to heal. Try taking lavendar and epsom salt baths during the quitting period - may help.

It sometimes too much for the body to deal with while water or juice fasting trying to quick the coffee habit too. Water fasting is especially intense and many alarms go off you know. In other words, some intense healing takes place in many areas of the body all at the same time. This way if you quit the coffee first, your body can focus on healing other areas and you will also have more peace of mind.

Check out the Masala Chai recipe in the recipe section. It's a very good coffee substitute. I keep plugging it because it's that good in helping to transition and it tastes wonderful (in my opinion). Not to mention if gives you energy too without too much caffeine (raw cacao). On second thought, I'd recommend substituting with carob powder though if you're really addicted to coffee.

I wish you well as you heal and transition.

Good luck!

[RawSar]

Thank you all for your responses!
I'm going to take your advise RawHeaven and wait till I'm ready to quit coffee first then once my body has recovered to do a juice/water fast.
I know how bad both coffee and especially how bad energy drinks are I've read many articles on all of them and STILL continue consuming them, dumb? Ya...:o
I never pictured myself without that cup of coffee in my hand. My boyfriend hates it, I was feeling so much pressure from him to quit.. The stress over that has finally stopped and I'm going to quit when I'm good and ready to! Who knows how long that will be... But I'm just not ready now. :cool:

It made me laugh, spicyfull, what you wrote. The times I quit for awhile I would do the same thing, or every time I walked by any coffee shop I would inhale deeply ! lol

Is there a thread that someone has started for caffeine addictions? lol
My family has always joked with me that I need to go to meetings in order to quit :p its really not THAT serious, but it would be nice to hear more stories and to know that I am not alone :)

[spicyfull]

Spicyfull - you are so wise! Aromatherapy crosses the blood-brain barrier, and in this case, coffee is a very powerful scent!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91742289

gee.....THANKS.