Kicking a redbull addiction

trolleyrun

skintandscared wrote: »

Because I know that tomorrow evening there will be no way round drinking it so it's definitely pointless until at least 1st Jan It's really helpful to hear how others have cut down, thanks. I'm thinking that a bottle of "value" diet lemonade used to dilute sugar-free squash might be a good substitute.

Sorry to have to point it out, but there is a way around it tomorrow. Simply by trying different things. The effects on your body by mixing red bull and alcohol can be shocking. Are there any other drinks you like that you could drink instead? Vodka and diet coke? At least then you won't get the horrific sugar and chemical content in your body (although diet coke does have a fair amount of chemicals in them). Red bull is banned in many countries in Europe due to the ingredients.

I used to drink a lot of coke/pepsi and then went onto pepsi max to cut my sugar intake. I went cold turkey 9 months ago and haven't looked back. It is important to replace your fluid intake with water, juice or herbal tea (if you like that sort of thing). I used to love spiced rum and coke, so now I have it with ginger ale instead and it's yummy

May I suggest that when you do replace your red bull and diet coke that you try sparkling water and dilute juice (instead of diet lemonade) as it will have less chemicals but you still get the fizzy pop feeling when you drink it.

I wish you all the best in getting rid of your habit. It is the most amazing change once you get on the other side. You'll sleep better, have more energy and you'll feel great about yourself. Good luck and I'm sure you can do it. We'll be here to support you, so go for it :T

And lastly: Happy New Year to you

eliviajen

I had a red bull addiction earlier in the year

I found that by cutting down on it by not drinking the whole can, but still having the same amount of fixes was the most effective way... I stopped over about 6 weeks or so.

The most important thing I will stress to you is PLEASE TAKE A MULTI-VITAMIN!!!, I had the most atrocious gums, nails and my doctor also diagnosed with me with anemia:eek:

the red bull is full of "vitamins" many of which you would have been overdosing your self with over the course of your addiction so when you cut it out, even if you have a healthy diet your body is used to such a high level

lemontart

good luck with giving red bull up I managed because of cost of the stuff was getting silly at the levels I consumed it only problem I replaced with tescos kx . same sort of thing but it gets me through my 14.5 hr work days. I realised I was addicted along with dd and her partner when we drove to another town to asda who were doing a great price promotion and filled a trolley with the stuff to save dosh.

Once I get a job that no longer involves nights or changing from days to nights with body clock gone for a burton I hope to reduce if not kick my addiction,

Sooki

How about breaking the cycle, like smokers do like using a caffeine replacement, there are lots tablets on the market & then you can work on withdrawing form those, and like someone else has said use a multi vitamin, berocca's or something like that might be a good substitute for the red bull. Also carbonated 'diet' drinks aren't very good for you in the long term, if its the carbonation you like get some carbonated water & things to mix with it like fruit juice, ribena etc.

Svenena

I just wanted to add that you should be careful about relying on painkillers to get over the withdrawal headaches if they last longer than a couple of days, as you can get the same withdrawal effect from over-using painkillers themselves if you do it over a longer period of time: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/headaches/pages/painkillerheadaches.aspx

betsie

My OH had a redbull addiction. We went to Disney Florida for 2 weeks and his detox completely ruined the holiday (they don't sell redbull at Disney). We didn't realise what it was at the time (he doesnt drink tea or coffee but still had diet coke) but he was dizzy every afternoon with headaches. He was on 4 cans a day as well.
He did go off it for several months but became re-hooked. Has finally broke the addition and only has the odd can now if really tired or has a long drive.
This stuff is seriously addictive.
I would go cold turkey and just power through it - after 2 weeks he was fine.

Welshwoofs

These bloody 'energy' drinks are atrocious .. and have most people you see drinking them just completed a long distance run? Have they hell. What particularly worries me is the number of school-kids I see ambling along with Redbull/Monster cans - ramming themselves full of sugar and caffeine.

I'd suggest going cold turkey personally. Yes, you absolutely will feel like crap for about 3 days and it's as much down to the withdrawal of sugars (some people's bodies seem to treat artificial ones the same as real ones) as it is to the withdrawal of caffeine. It's not dangerous to do it however - you just drink a lot of water and you'll be right as rain.

Jox

I'm struggling with giving up coffee at the moment, I've been sleeping alot which has been fine during the christmas holiday but I'm worried about when I go back to work on Wednesday how I will get through the day.

I'm very bad tempered at the moment as well!

Write a list of the reasons you want to give up and keep reading it to remind yourself when the cravings get bad.

I'm hearing a tick tick noise in my head at the moment, 3 days since my last cup of coffee!

I'm taking B vitamins and St John's Wort, it's helped me in the past.

Good luck, it's not easy but you will feel better physically, mentally and financially when you kick it!

skintandscared_2

trolleyrun wrote: »

Sorry to have to point it out, but there is a way around it tomorrow. Simply by trying different things.

Yes, I know you are right, I suppose I am just trying to buy myself one more evening with my favourite drink I do drink lime and soda and can easily stick to mainly that with a vodka in every third one . We usually only have 2 jaeger bombs when we are out celebrating, which equates to one can of redbull.

I do have a pack of Wellwoman tablets in a drawer somewhere. I will get those out. I'm sure I will feel a lot better without this stuff in my system.

bestpud

I like the idea of having the same number of cans but tipping some out.

Would you do it though?

I imagine the temptation to drink the lot could be high when you're feeling pooped?

If there is a drink you can mix in with it, it may be easier, as you'd still have the same volume and could eventually tip the balance so you were drinking the other drink instead...

Best of luck with it, however you choose to tackle it. Also, remember there are alternative methods you can try if the first one really doesn't work for you.