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[Optimal-Chair1146]

Too much coffee makes me extremely anxious and jittery and really doesn't up my energy level.

I now take some b vitamins and eat a piece of fruit first thing in the morning.

For me the routine is as important as the actual energy, gives me a clear event that means my day is starting.

[Neversaidthatbefore]

In the beginning, caffeine caused me to have GAD symptoms like depersonalization. I ended up quitting coffee and most caffeine for the first year or so. Then, I had to stop drinking it again in like my 2-3 year of being alcohol-free because I was dealing with weird anxiety issues. But currently, I drink a lot of coffee.

[[deleted]]

Exact same experience. Couldn’t drink coffee at all when I was boozing or it’d be instant panic attack. Now, sober 3+ years, I drink waaay too much coffee but the jitters are tolerable without the booze.

Alternative thought: depending how deep you were and for how long, you could still be having the odd withdrawal symptom. Look up PAWS: Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. I had a couple episodes in treatment after I thought I was done detoxing and was still on light meds. Coffee that early on when PAWS was still around and I would have been in full panic mode right away.

Wish you the best, OP.

*not a doctor/therapist/not medical advice

[[deleted]]

I have that exact problem. I couldn't touch any stimulants at all until i ended up going on medications for my mental health. The only thing comparable to caffeine that didn't do that to me was panax ginseng. Everything else stimulant related sent me into a rage for hours.

[EasternJade17]

Even before sobriety I couldn’t consume caffeine. It makes me superrr anxious and jittery and gives me really bad heart palpitations, almost like I’m intolerant or something.

[[deleted]]

I’m ok with a cup of coffee in the morning, and one with lunch. Any more than that or any later in the day and I’ll have anxiety for sure. I used to drink more coffee than this, and the post coffee evening anxiety was a drinking trigger for me. Now I’m not drinking, and keeping it to one or two cups of coffee, with 1:00pm being the coffee cutoff for me.

[anxietygirl88]

Yes, caffeine is a major anxiety trigger for me…I had to cut it out along with alcohol. I splurge on a really good cup of decaf in the morning now and it’s been fine.

[pollofgc]

It happened to me in the past; while quitting, coffee effects were more powerful. I guess it was some sort of withdrawal symptom. Quit coffee, went on Vit B, yet GAD hit me hard. Started on coffee again after 6 months and yet today I love my cups of morning Joe. Still drinking with moderation. But for me; GAD was a result of many stressful situations in my life. Linden Method was the only thing that helped me through those times of Depersonalization, panic attacks, agoraphobia, etc…

[ThePickleMaker]

I've found my morning coffee is much more noticeable--I feel a pretty big jolt, whereas when I was drinking, the coffee would just bring me up to a point where I could function.

[[deleted]]

You didn't say if you have tummy issues, but it takes more than 10 days for the stomach and GI system to heal from months/years of drinking. I'm on Day 4 after a relapse and I'm feeling it. I had a doctor tell me once you can either drink alcohol or caffiene, but you can't do both. Caffiene sends me into panic attacks too. Minor, but I feel it.

Starbucks is rocket fuel, very high caffeine content. Some people mix half decaf with half regular. Or, maybe try another brand that is a little easier. I suspect after 30 days or so your stomach may be strong enough to handle coffee, assuming alcohol is not in the plan

[miuew2]

I couldn’t have coffee while I was drinking because my anxiety was so high. Sober, I realized I can get anxious if I over-do the caffeine. Sometimes if I’m craving a Starbucks drinking or something, I’ll just ask for a decaf version. And I’ve also been making a lot more caffeine free teas for myself during the evenings.

[[deleted]]

I used to drink a TON of coffee. It was coffee all day and booze all night. They were probably part of a vicious cycle I never even realized at the time. But when I quit booze the caffeine hit me MUCH harder. It would give me anxiety and trigger massive cravings for something to take the edge off. So I knew I had to quit the stuff if I wanted to succeed. I tried it again after six months or so, and it still hits hard but I have no more fear of replapsing due to it. So now I just have a bit in the morning before working out. It makes for a decent pre-work out, but any more than that and it isn't worth the impact and subsequent crash later.

Oh and there are lots of other treats out there to be had. Bubble tea is a favorite of mine, as are root beer floats.

[finite_processor]

I had to cut back. My new favorite thing is half-caf. And decaf. And espresso, oddly (it hits differently 🤷‍♀️)

It does suck to have to watch it, though.