Caffeine withdrawal symptoms and recovery through Red Bull cessation

Drugs, Society, And Human Behavior

Beating the Addiction: The Journey of Giving Up Red Bull

An Exploration in Caffeine Withdrawal and Substance Abuse

Although Red Bull energy drinks come stocked with a variety of so-called energy-producing substances including Glucose, Taurine, Glucuronolactone, Niacin, and Sodium Citrate, the active ingredient is none other than Caffeine. While scientists have debated the positive vs. The negative effects of the drug, most can say without a doubt that caffeine is highly addictive. Quitting caffeine cold turkey is almost as difficult as quitting smoking, perhaps more so. By journaling my experience giving up Red Bull, and therefore caffeine, the mysteries of the caffeine-free journey will be unearthed.

Symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal

The most abundant symptom that I faced was feelings of drowsiness and fatigue, particularly early in the morning and any other time that I would have had a Red Bull. These feelings of fatigue were often combined with feelings of agitation, restlessness, and irritation, or an overwhelming desire to sleep. Other frequent symptoms included a headache and some nausea. I also faced an inability to concentrate, especially during periods when I would have normally consumed Red Bull. According to Johns Hopkins University, other symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal of caffeine include an inability to perform work tasks sufficiently, anxiety, severe flu-like symptoms, the inability to perform physical skills, and depression. Of these symptoms, I experienced none of very little, although I did experience a slight amount of nausea.

III. Relapse Prevention Strategies

Before giving up Red Bull cold turkey, I researched a variety of ways to control the impulse to drink the beverage again. In line with this research, I first tried to switch to another beverage.

At first, I selected a mildly caffeinated beverage that did not have amounts of caffeine as Red Bull -- regular soda. After this, I attempted switching to naturally decaffeinated beverages like juices and other decaffeinated sweet drinks like root beer. In order to try and beat the moments of fatigue, I attempted to intake a variety of B. vitamins from other sources such as protein bars. Finally, when the craving for Red Bull hit me mentally, I attempted to beat it by trying a beverage similar to Red Bull -- a decaffeinated energy drink. Finally, I attempted to change my behavior in order to stave off the cravings. I began to drink large amounts of water and to attempt more hours of sleep each night.

Incidences of Relapse and How You Tried to Intervene

Incidents of relapse occurred especially when I had a large selection of beverages before me, one of which was Red Bull, such as at a convenience store. I simply did not have enough will power to choose another drink. I attempted to prevent those relapses by keeping plenty of beverages with me so I would not be tempted to enter a store that sold Red Bull for the sole purchasing a beverage.

Your Thoughts/Feelings About Giving Something Up & What You Learned and How it Applies to the Overall Concept of Addicition

It is quite amazing to think about the freedoms and opportunities each person really has, regardless of his or her situation. For instance, many people often complain about being forced to stay at work or required to show up for a certain meeting. While these people may be recognize that they must stay at the job or they will be fired or they are required to show up for a meeting if they do not want to face adverse career circumstances, people are not really forced to do many things. In frustrating situations, it is well within most people's power to simply walk out of the door. But something else compels people to stay in many situations that are less than perfect.

By giving something up, I know now how hard it is not to exercise my choices, to know how easy it is to simply take what I desire. With nothing like a paycheck or a moral right or wrong guiding me, I realized that giving something up solely for the purpose of benefiting myself was a very frustrating thing to do. In addition, I learned that this must be even harder for those who face severe addictions that have ruled their lives for many years. Addictions are not to be overcome lightly, and they are certainly not as simple to abandon as many suggest.

Did You Have Symptoms of Addiction?

Because I experienced the withdrawal symptoms listed above, I can say that I did experience symptoms of addiction. Further, I experienced relapses and became agitated when I could not have Red Bull. Although these may be mild symptoms of addiction, they strike a chord by exemplifying how becoming addicted to a substance of behavior is quite easy.

Was Your Behavior Change Easy or Difficult and Why?

Although the behavior change was difficult, it was not nearly as difficult as some behavior changes I could have had to endure. The change was difficult mainly because I had to endure the inconvenience of being denied something that I had always felt entitled to in the past. Also, the change was difficult because of the adverse symptoms I experienced, in addition to the frustration I felt at being unable to satisfy my desires and cravings.

What Did it Teach You About People Who Have to Give Up Chemicals and Did it Change Your View of Addiction and Willpower?

My experience with giving up this addiction was frustrating, so it must be even more frustrating for those who have to give up chemicals. Although caffeine is a highly addictive substance, its effects and withdrawal effects are not nearly as severe as the effects and withdrawal effects of someone using chemicals. For this reason, my experience made me sympathize with the addict who has to give up chemicals, in addition to making me understand that addiction is not easy to overcome, and willpower is not always as strong was we would like it to be. Though many suggest that those who have to give up chemicals should not view the experience as so difficult, I now realize that it is not only a difficult experience, but one of the most difficult experiences that one must endure.

Although a caffeine addiction is not as severe as many addictions I could have, my experience in attempting to give up Red Bull has allowed me to understand the severity of overcoming addictions of all kinds.