Overcoming Energy Drink Addiction – The Caffeine & Sugar Trap

by Erika Slater

Energy Drink Can Image
Back in the day, an energy drink was considered a ‘black as night coffee’ with more than enough sugar for the extra spike.

You got your caffeine and your sugar combined in what most thought of as the perfect ‘stay a-wake energy drink!’ Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like coffee has disappeared or fallen off the earth, but today people who love the quick hit of energy prefer the more commercial energy drinks.

However, just like coffee, some people are getting addicted to them.

The millennial generation seems to be one specific ‘population’ who relies heavily on the energy drinks and is making them a staple part of their daily diets.

There are many different ‘energy drinks’ on the market now, with varying ‘hours’ they guarantee to pick you up, or keep you awake.

This is all harmless stuff, right? After all its just caffeine and sugar? Unfortunately, the combination is far from harmless as you’ll begin to see…

 

THE ROAD TO ADDICTION:

Caffeine Addiction Concept ImageCaffeine is known to be addictive and a stimulant. Most energy drinks though contain less caffeine than a Starbucks coffee. Because of this folk feel there’s no harm being done. But they forget the accumulative effect of taking multiple energy drinks per day and combining with other drinks.

You see, most people who’re consuming these energy drinks are also consuming traditional drinks as well that contain caffeine such as coffee and teas, even though they’re ‘herbal.’

Caffeine is the primary ingredient in energy drinks so in essence, people may be loading up on mega doses of caffeine throughout the day and not even be cognizant of how much they’re consuming.

As caffeine acts as a stimulant it kicks the central nervous system (CNS) up to higher levels, i.e. heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, and changes in brain chemistry.

For all intents and purposes, energy-enhancing drugs, including coffee are a drug.

Yes, you heard that correct. Anything that has the ability to change one’s CNS is considered a stimulant… a drug! And drugs come with both positive and negative side effects.

Many people who use a lot of energy drinks, or become addicted to consuming them (yes indeed, stimulants are highly addictive) report they have adverse side-effects. These side-effects are some of the more common ones associated with stimulant abuse and addictions.

These negative side-effects include:

  • Nervousness,
  • Rapid heart-rate and palpitations,
  • Increases in blood pressure,
  • Edginess,
  • Restlessness,
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Furthermore, overuse of energy drinks can cause nausea, vomiting and changes in eating habits.

Is it really worth developing these chronic symptoms for the sake of momentary energy every day? If that’s not enough of a concern, people have actually overdosed on energy drinks because they really didn’t believe they were dangerous in terms of consuming large amounts of them daily.

The scary part is not all manufacturers of energy drinks state the specific doses of caffeine their drinks are laden with.

Sugar Sack ImageAll this related to the caffeine aspect should be enough to have folks reconsider dependency on energy drinks. But we’re not done yet. Because, then comes the sugar they contain…

Sugar we know is also highly addictive. One of my hypnosis services is helping people with Sugar Addiction. It’s real, serious and a major reason people gain weight and struggle to wean themselves off the sugar. The food industry has done a “wonderful” job of addicting us to their products, and they’ve done this using processed foods and… sugar.

If you’ve reached this far in the article, then you’re obviously concerned about energy drinks and what they contain and how addictive they can become. Maybe you, or somebody you know, is addicted and its time to do something about it.

What does the road to recovery look like?

 

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY:

Like many addictions there are degrees and so the timing of the road to recovery will vary.

Depending on the severity of the addiction, or dependence of the energy drink used by an individual, they may actually have to see a professional and be ‘detoxed’, or weaned off of the drink, just as with any other type of drug addiction.

Start by seeing your primary care physician. They can refer you to a professional therapist if needed.

Willpower Concept ImageIf you’re in the early stages where the energy drink is becoming ‘habit forming’, or you don’t want it to become an addiction, then you have the option of going “cold turkey” or using hypnosis for helping you rid yourself of it before it becomes a “monkey on your back!”

If your choice is “cold turkey” then get all caffeine out of your consumption – including coffee and tea and other caffeine-laden beverages (including soda) – water, makes a fine substitute both short and long-term. Cold turkey means stopping use abruptly and because of this it requires significant amounts of will-power. If you believe you have strong will-power as evidenced from going “cold turkey” in giving something else up successfully, then go for it.

The first few days will be the most difficult – you should be able to get through at least 24-hours abstaining from use of caffeine. If you can’t then move to hypnosis.

If, like most smoker’s, going “cold turkey” doesn’t work for you for overcoming the habit and cravings, then make an appointment with a local hypnotist. Look to interview and work with somebody who specializes in addictions. If you want to consider working directly with me on a addiction through my online or in-office sessions then check out my Hypnosis Services or if you’ve a specific need then contact me here.

There are also self-hypnosis products available if you prefer to go that route first before seeing an hypnotherapist. So, if you’re ready to escape the trap of relying on borrowed energy and ready to manage your energy levels and focus on self-care then check out this self-hypnosis session here >>>

Energy drink addiction is serious and something we’re still learning about. If you’re concerned you’re forming this addiction seek help now.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES RELATED TO ADDICTIONS:

Top 14 Energy Drink Dangers

Stop Drinking Soda for Your Own Good – Peter Sacco

Short Program Sugar Addiction Hypnosis Service >>>

Can Energy Drinks Really Boost a Person’s Energy – Mayo Clinic

The 8 Best Healthy Energy Drinks – Women’s Health

Library of Self-Hypnosis Downloads Products >>>

 
Erika Slater CH
Free At Last Hypnosis
Massachusetts

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Interested in making a significant change in your life and interested in learning more about what I do and how I do it? Discover my hypnotherapy services here or contact me here.

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