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How can I Cope with Caffeine Withdrawal?

Lori Smith
Lori Smith

The first week is usually the most difficult for people suffering from caffeine withdrawal. For this reason, you may want to try tapering off caffeine until your body adjusts, rather than eliminating it from your diet all at once. Headaches are the most common symptom, which can usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. You may also want to get some extra sleep during this time, which can help with feelings of grogginess and irritability.

Caffeine is an addictive substance. As such, uncomfortable caffeine withdrawal symptoms can occur when it is abruptly discontinued. Gradually tapering off the stimulant can make symptoms easier to manage. If you are a coffee drinker, this can be achieved by blending caffeinated coffee with the decaffeinated variety for a few days, so your body becomes used to the lesser dose. Then, you can try switching to decaffeinated beverages exclusively or eliminate it altogether.

Individuals who are weening themselves from caffeine can switch from regular to decaffeinated coffee.
Individuals who are weening themselves from caffeine can switch from regular to decaffeinated coffee.

If a gradual decrease of caffeine intake is not possible, or undesirable, caffeine withdrawal symptoms will probably be more bothersome at first. Headaches are the most common complaint, especially within the first couple of days. In addition to pain relievers, you may want to try getting a massage or spending time in a hot tub to relax sore muscles and ease tension caused by withdrawal.

Extra sleep can help deal with the grogginess that can accompany caffeine withdrawal.
Extra sleep can help deal with the grogginess that can accompany caffeine withdrawal.

While many caffeine withdrawal symptoms are physical, there are psychological aspects to it as well. For example, many people wake up in the morning and head straight for the coffee pot to enjoy their first drink of the day. Skipping this activity can cause distress when these people make the decision to eliminate caffeine from their diet.

In addition to drinking coffee, consuming hot tea or soda can be part of a daily routine that many people look forward to in the morning and throughout the day. Suddenly forgoing this portion of your ritual may produce surprising psychological effects, such as depression. To help cope with this, you can switch to decaffeinated beverages so you do not feel deprived of your favorite beverage. If you find yourself thinking about the caffeine you are missing, try to distract yourself with enjoyable activities. While it may be difficult to focus your attention elsewhere, rest assured that caffeine withdrawal symptoms usually do not last more than a week or two.

Discussion Comments

fify

@ddljohn-- I have the same symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. It makes me sleepy and drowsy. That's why it's a good idea to quit during vacation when you can rest and sleep without worrying about work or chores.

burcidi

@ddljohn-- You could try having more coffee to reduce withdrawal symptoms and then reduce the amount more slowly when you feel better. Or you could replace your coffee with drinks that have less caffeine like black tea or green tea.

I think the hardest part of quitting coffee is not just caffeine withdrawal but also not having something hot to sip on. So replacing coffee with other hot drinks can be very helpful.

Since almost everyone consumes caffeine in one way or another, we don't realize that caffeine is an addiction with withdrawal symptoms. If you manage to get through the first couple of days though, things do get better very quickly after that.

ddljohn

I'm experiencing withdrawal from caffeine right now. I did not quit it cold-turkey as I know how difficult that will be. So I have cut down my coffee consumption by more than half. I have half a cup per day now, but I am still experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I have a headache, I am moody and sleepy. It's so difficult to get through the day. Should I increase my caffeine intake a little bit?

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    • Individuals who are weening themselves from caffeine can switch from regular to decaffeinated coffee.
      By: picsfive
      Individuals who are weening themselves from caffeine can switch from regular to decaffeinated coffee.
    • Extra sleep can help deal with the grogginess that can accompany caffeine withdrawal.
      By: lassedesignen
      Extra sleep can help deal with the grogginess that can accompany caffeine withdrawal.
    • Abruptly giving up on energy drinks can cause caffeine withdrawal.
      By: Oleksiy Mark
      Abruptly giving up on energy drinks can cause caffeine withdrawal.
    • Many people experience headaches in the morning during caffeine withdrawal, as it's the time of day when they usually drink caffeine for the first time.
      By: 9nong
      Many people experience headaches in the morning during caffeine withdrawal, as it's the time of day when they usually drink caffeine for the first time.
    • Someone who is withdrawing from caffeine may suffer from insomnia.
      By: Innovated Captures
      Someone who is withdrawing from caffeine may suffer from insomnia.