caffeine vs. alcohol addiction / drunk vs alcoholic - Al-Anon Family Group

cloudyskies · ~*Service Worker*~

caffeine vs. alcohol addiction / drunk vs alcoholic

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

Not to me and maybe to him? Either way - being a drunk or being an alcoholic - it sounds as if your spouse knows his sickness? Maybe he'll go one day to take the medicine? Regardless, I hope your caffeine withdrawals are short-lived? I also hope those nasty spasms stop for you soon. Ouch.

-- Edited by grateful2be on Thursday 6th of November 2014 09:10:43 PM

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

Yes there is a difference to the ego of the person. An alcoholic has a life threatening addiction to a mind and mood altering chemical which is progressive and if not arrested by total abstinence will result in insanity and death. A drunk is a bum, can be found on park benches or gutter drains or passed out on sidewalks, often homeless and dirty and weak willed and spirited. The drunk doesn't have a chance, and is hopeless while the alcoholic does if he is willing to change more than if he is willing to drink. The alcoholic has been helpless. He can reach out for more...help. ((((hugs)))) smile

You are beginning to understand addiction and it isn't just about booze. A compulsion of the mind...allergy of the body.

Newlife girl · ~*Service Worker*~

In my opinion, he probably just doesn't like the word "alcoholic" call it what you will, it is what it is...an addiction to alcohol. As far as Pepsi having less caffeine, I don't know if that's true. I like Coke but I usually only drink one at work and I don't drink it all day. Be careful, because diabetes is a concern with drinking so much Coke. You can take Excedrin for your headaches, it helps me. It has caffeine and aspirin in it. At least it's better than soda. Also, what about coffee instead? I think coffee is a little healthier.
As far as comparing the two addictions, at least with caffeine, it doesn't ruin lives. It doesn't make you act drunk. It is an issue, but I don't look at it like I look at alcohol. It's far less damaging in general...but cutting back is a good idea. The y say even Diet soda is bad too.

-- Edited by Newlife girl on Friday 7th of November 2014 12:59:19 AM

el-cee · ~*Service Worker*~

I hear you, we can all be addicted to anything really and it comes from the same place inside I think. I like what jerry said. There is a huge difference between the words drunk and alcoholism and it seems to reveal his state of mind. If he is in denial and doesnt believe he is an alcoholic, hes just a drunk, suggesting to me he thinks he is still in control, its quite sad to think he still thinks its all about his own failings, hes failed to keep a grip. Maybe surrendering that thought and mind set, accepting he cant control it would be the beginning of recovery. We let them fall and stop adding to it when we accept our own powerlessness, theres always hope.

Cathyinaz · ~*Service Worker*~

Cause of death for my Grandma was Coke..... ate the lining of her stomach and she bled to death. Sad but true.

Take care and you my friend and watch that soda ((( hugs )))

neshema2 · ~*Service Worker*~

i agree with what Jerry said and really, you got good replies here so I don't have much to say except that whatever he thinks or does, A--you didn't cause it...B--you can't control it C----you will never cure it (referring to his issues)

you can help you with alanon...I am so glad you reached out to us....having this community is great hey??? .....my recovery mate was a coca cola addict....her headaches were horrible till she "cleaned out" and then they disappeard....that is nasty stuff, caffeine when you get too much of it...it is a stimulant and too much of stimulants can wreak havoc with your body....sending healing energy to you...Please keep coming back......in support

-- Edited by neshema2 on Friday 7th of November 2014 05:21:28 PM

missmeliss · ~*Service Worker*~

To me "drunk" is kind of a personality type, something that can't be helped, 'oh never mind him, he's a drunk". "Alcoholic" is a disease, something that can be treated, it's an affliction not a person.
So "I'm a drunk" is like saying"Well, that's who I am, it can't be helped, poor me, poor you for having to put up with me, oh well".
"I'm an alcoholic" says to me "I could do something about this if I chose to".

I'd never thought about the difference in how I perceive those 2 words before, interesting. My father always called himself a drunk, he wouldn't hear the word alcoholic though. Perhaps that's how I formed my perception.

I hear you about the coke, I have an obsessive relationship with it myself and it isn't just the caffeine, coke has some GOOD ingredients in it too like orange oil and cinnamon, that's partially why we crave it when we feel unwell. So cinnamon in your coffee, sniffing orange oil and drinking orange juice etc help with the cravings I find. If I give in and drink more than 1 a day the sugar gives me awful headaches so I have to be careful with it too. I could drink it instead of water if it didn't make me ill, it's like catnip to me lol.

cloudyskies · ~*Service Worker*~

Thank you all for the replies. I have been battling a horrific headache all day. I did not realize I was so addicted to caffeine. My bladder is much better. I'm not having any spasms. While my addiction is nothing compared to alcohol addiction, it has allowed me to understand a little better what a physical addiction is. My body is craving, (wants and needs) caffeine and because its not getting it, I'm having a migraine headache. I can only imagine what the body of an alcoholic goes through when it doesn't get alcohol.

I think my ah calling himself a "drunk" is reflective of his low self worth which in my opinion is another symptom of alcoholism.

Again, thanks to you all.

Al-Anon works if you work it.

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

If you have some Icy Hot at your home, it always helped me to put it on my forehead, temples and the back of my neck and lie down for about 15 to 20 minutes in a darkened room. It worked better than pain shots I got for migraines when I was younger. It might help relieve some of the pressure for your "withdrawal" headache without upsetting your stomach, too?

PP · ~*Service Worker*~

I liked reading your post and thread. Until I began to see addictions as more pervasive than alcohol, food, cigarettes, sex and drugs, I did not think I had any....oh the mystery of me smile I hope your headache has subsided for you....sometimes a little lavender oil at the temples will soothe it..hugs.

cloudyskies · ~*Service Worker*~

Thanks Grateful and Paula. Grateful I didn't have any icy hot, but I tried BenGay last night and it helped. I've only had one cup of coffee today. That is severely cutting my caffeine and while I do have a head ache, it's not nearly as bad as yesterday, so maybe my body is beginning to let go of this addiction. I'm proud of myself. My bladder is thanking me. smile

Thanks again.

It works if you work it.

LinSC · Senior Member

Cloudyskies here is a little chart from the mayo clinic website on caffeine beverages, soda also contains lots of sugar and will keep the weight on! Looks like Pepsi wins for more caffeine...

Type of soft drink	Size*	Caffeine

A&W Root Beer	12 oz. (355 mL)	0 mg
Barq's Root Beer	12 oz. (355 mL)	16-18 mg
Coca-Cola	12 oz. (355 mL)	23-35 mg
Diet Coke	12 oz. (355 mL)	23-47 mg
Diet Pepsi	12 oz. (355 mL)	27-37 mg
Dr Pepper, regular and diet	12 oz. (355 mL)	36-42 mg
Mtn Dew, regular and diet	12 oz. (355 mL)	42-55 mg
Mug Root Beer, regular and diet	12 oz. (355 mL)	0 mg
7UP	12 oz. (355 mL)	0 mg
Pepsi	12 oz. (355 mL)	32-39 mg
Sierra Mist, regular and diet	12 oz. (355 mL)	0 mg
Sprite, regular and diet	12 oz. (355 mL)	0 mg

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

Your bladder is thanking you and your head pain is subsiding. There's progress and a few tips and a nutritional analysis as gifts for you, too!

cloudyskies · ~*Service Worker*~

Wow, thanks for that LinSC. Here I was thinking Coke had more caffeine than Pepsi. The only caffeine I have had today has been one cup of coffee this morning. I'm only having dull headaches now. smile And, I cannot believe how much better my bladder is feeling. smile smile smile I have started drinking Sprite and 7ups.

mnkarts2 · Member

I am completely addicted to Diet Coke. Especially during certain times of the month...I crave that cola bubbly...I can't stand regular sodas as they are too sweet. When I was in college I actually cut my Diet Coke down to one 20oz per day and lost about 10lbs. There are SO many things wrong with Diet Coke...but I've never been able to give it up. I always think to myself if they ever make caffeine an elicit drug I am in trouble. How's that for an addiction mentality?

I also think of "drunk" vs. "alcoholic" as a recovery mindset. I imagine someone who considers him/herself an "alcoholic" as someone who accepts that they have a problem and want to fix it. That's just my opinion though.

Angelado1976 · Newbie

I know my husband hates the word alcoholic because he sees it as a character flaw, a weekness. and the last thing he is is week. he is a man and real men aren't week. he has little tolerance for other peoples weeknesses so he isn't about to allow that to be said about him. he says AA is full of people who are not as smart as him are not as strong as him and are in pathetic situations that are beneath him so they couldnt possibly help him stop drinking. He says he can will it gone himself if he really wants to. He hasnt called himself a drunk but he has said he has a drinking problem or that he is addicted this to him means he just needs to try harder IF he wants to stop he can stop but as of right now he thinks the only REAL problem is that I dont like the drinking. And thats my problem not his. Long story short. if Im a drunk I dont have to get help if Im an Alcoholic the only solution is that Embarrising AA group down the street.

cloudyskies · ~*Service Worker*~

Thanks Angel for sharing. Some of what you said your husband says, I have heard my ah say. I think my ah calls himself a drunk because in his sick and twisted mind, he doesn't think a drunk is an alcoholic. He's still in the big D.

Fairlee · Senior Member

I have been thinking about my caffeine addiction in regards to my AH as well...the difference for me is I have 2 cups of coffee in the morning and thankfully I do nothave any health issues stemming from the caffeine addiction :) It does make you feel more understanding though...

I think if the A says "I was drunk" it makes them feel like that was just a one time thing but if they say they are an alcoholic, it is admitting you really have a problem. The A is probably still in denial about having a problem.

Thank you for your post - I really appreciated the part about him choosing alcohol over you - I feel this way all the time and let that hurt me...what you said here is something I really need to take to heart and remember!

cloudyskies · ~*Service Worker*~

Hi Fairlee. Thank you for your share. Something you said in your post caught my attention:" I really appreciated the part about him choosing alcohol over you - I feel this way all the time and let that hurt me..."

Fairlee, please know that your alcoholic is not choosing alcohol over you. He has no choice when it comes to alcohol. He has to drink because his body is addicted to the alcohol. His body thinks it needs the alcohol to survive. His brain knows he needs the alcohol. The choice comes from not asking for help, choosing to live in denial and not reaching out for help. I remember someone in another post comparing alcohol addiction to needing air to breathe. That's how strong alcohol addiction is.

When I was going through withdrawals from caffeine, I was having awful headaches, and I was comparing my withdrawals to an alcoholic withdrawals. I know there is no comparison, however, but it did help me to understand the alcoholic's sickness.

It works if you work it.

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