AA question: Is it drinking coffee or caffeine in general when you ..?

Question

when you are trying to stop drinking alcohol? I've heard AA ppl say to load up coffee with a lot of sugar when you are craving. Is it the concept of coffee or the caffeine plus sugar. I know sugar does seem to help. I'm drinking tea but having a hard time. Wonder if I should make coffee but will be up all night then. lol

Thx. I think I'm going to go buy some candy bars.

Answer 1

Don't load up on caffeine....it is the sugar that helps by replacing the sugar you were getting from alcohol. You need your rest, so sweetly sleep. LOL......Good Luck and Congrats !

Answer 2

First of all, I'd be wary of AA people playing doctor & telling anyone to load up on caffeine. I guess that's why they keep serving that nasty coffee, to keep you coming back.

But my anti-AA feelings aside, the logic behind the sugar fix is because when you stop drinking, your body is still physically craving carbohydrates. That shouldn't be surprising considering the sugar content in most alcohol. It's also a reason why some alcohol-dependent folks end up becoming diabetic.

My best advice to you is to schedule an appointment for a complete physical exam with your doctor. Be honest & candid about your experiences & where you are today, and ask questions about how to improve your health, stop the cravings, etc.

And the next time a stepper tries to play doctor, ask to see his medical credentials.

Answer 3

You are correct that sugar helps the cravings, many alcoholics become "sugarholics" when they hop on the wagon. As for the coffee and caffeine, there really is no physical reason that coffee helps, it's more of a psychological issue. Most alcoholics also have a psychological dependance as well as the physical and the oral fixation is address with coffee or other beverages that are commonly considerd "social" drinks. When in a group setting the alcoholic often finds it uncomfortable without a drink and coffee is usually readily available.

Answer 4

drink caffeine free coffee. my fiance is in AA and has been sober for 2 years. He drinks a lot of coffee and gatorade to quench his constant "thirst". He also eats a lot of oranges. You're body is used to the sugar from alcohol so you need to get it from something else.

Answer 5

The point is the sugar. Alcohol creates sugar in the blood stream.
Leave the candy bars alone. Go with the hard candies. When you feel jittery or "jonesing" use the candies.

Answer 6

be careful when drinking coffee. Yahoo had an article yesterday stating that the maximum amount of coffee you should have is 200-300 mg of caffiene, which is equal to 2-4 cups per day

Answer 7

From my experience...it is helping another alcoholic achieve sobriety that helped me quit drinking. Coffee just was a convenient common denominator. If you haven't been....try going to a meeting...the coffee is usually free.

Answer 8

My friend drinks tea with lots of sugar when she is stopping the drinking

Answer 9

I read a report that coffee helps with cirrhosis, the damaging effect of alcohol on the liver.

Answer 10

My husband doesn't understand it, yet to diminish decrease back on the caffeine & with out causing him withdrawl subject matters, i began getting a million/2 or quite a lot less of popular beans & filling the bag some thing of how with decaf. He stated that the espresso tasted somewhat distinct, yet I purely informed him I were given distinct beans. I commonly get the universal beans in a mild to medium roast & the decaf in a medium darkish roast. considering i doesn't be at liberty quitting espresso completely, i have not replaced the blend, yet so that you could "end" espresso & stave off the topic matters, I propose purely including somewhat better decaf, a lot less universal to the blend till it is all decaf or till you experience you could end with out the withdrawl subject matters.... good success!!!