A while back (around the start of the semester) I became addicted to caffeine and sugar (which come packaged so readily consumable in Coke). This is not good for me. I come from a long line of diabetics, so I'm at great risk for diabetes. It would not be good for me to get diabetes (I hear the Army doesn't take you if you're missing a leg). So now I'm trying to curb my need for caffeine and sugar. But I'm not doing so well. And I'm wondering: am I supposed to just buck-up and try harder this time or what? And anyone else whose overcome a powerful addiction, please let me know.
In the midst of your sadness and woe, when you are tormented and afflicted, have comfort! God's will is done.
Self determination is needful, we must want to quit doing what is wrong and we must build up habits to replace the sin that is habitual. However where do we find the strength to defeat this sin. We can not find it within ourselves because our knowledge of the sin only gives it strength through our flesh.(ROM 7) The law of God convicts us of sin but victory over sin only comes through the application of God's grace in Christ through the Spirit's working in us. ADDICTIONS ARE DEFEATABLE WHEN WE DESIRE GOD MORE THAN THE SIN THAT ENSLAVES US. For help try the sermon "THE EXPULSIVE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION" BY THOMAS CHALMERS or DESIRING GOD an online book at www,desiringGOD.org by JOHN PIPER. In practical terms draw closer to God through prayer, bible reading, church attendance and remove or limit access to the temptation. It is hard to do with caffeine which I also am addicted to being A full-time student and a father of three, it is hard to give it up. Our victory will be found in Jesus as we grow to love Him more than our sins. SDG
The current thinking is swap to a less troublesome addiction :-) which has some validity I spose. Every time you get the urge to coke it up do something positive instead.
Heard years ago that you could break any habit by not doing it for 30 days, and that it only took 30 days to set the habit. Now, with donuts I don't think it takes that long!
If taste is part of the problem, diet caffeine free tastes as good as the real stuff, but it takes a couple days to get past the taste thing <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> it isn't just the same for awhile.
Knowing you are doing the right (welch59's determination) thing really helps. Used to smoke 2+ packs a day, (tried to quit many times) but when I really decided it was something I had to stop I did it cold turkey, long years before the patches, gum etc. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
I'm not sure I ever quit the habit though, just call it diet caffeine free coke now <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
ReformedThinker said: A while back (around the start of the semester) I became addicted to caffeine and sugar (which come packaged so readily consumable in Coke). This is not good for me. I come from a long line of diabetics, so I'm at great risk for diabetes. It would not be good for me to get diabetes (I hear the Army doesn't take you if you're missing a leg). So now I'm trying to curb my need for caffeine and sugar. But I'm not doing so well. And I'm wondering: am I supposed to just buck-up and try harder this time or what? And anyone else whose overcome a powerful addiction, please let me know.
Well let me tell you how I did it. I'm a long time coffee drinker I liked about three pots a day. (yes I said pots) after I had the blood vessel in my head go boom my doctor said the coffee with caffeine had to go. So for about a month and half I made coffee with a portion of the mix substituted with decaf coffee. When I got to 99% decaf and 1% regular I went complete decaf. You could try the same with your coke and see if that works for you. I've been caffeine free for six months now.
Doesn't mean I don't miss the bite of the caffeine though. Keep that in mind.
I came across this thread and read it with interest, because my husband has an addiction too. He has problems with porn. Now do not point your fingers at me and do not send pages of scriptures my way. We are getting help for this now. Wednesday he had had his first appointment with the counsellor. It was all the way in Amsterdam and so he agrred on emailing on a regular basis. I have becoe involved in a message board dedicated to Christian wives of addicts. My new sisters are of great help and no, we are not always that serious all the time. We play games, celebrate birthdays and we also have good conversations. I just wanted to say that if you are addicted, you cannot be helped unless you recogninse you are an addict. Irt is usually the spouse, in our case the wife, who recognises this first. Stan is making some points too. I think it can work well, but only if you have some people that encourage you to hang on. I admire you who have done this without help from friends or people in your church. Get help for yourself and for your spouse. He or she is usually the one that is forgotten, but hurt the most. Just wanted to share some thoughts.
Are you saying that you are addicted to sugar and caffeine in general? or that you are heavily addicted to "Coke?" To me there is a big difference lol.
Jippia.. bless you girl! Dealing with what you are dealing with is a "furnace of testing" in itself. Pornography is a horrid addiction, and hard to get over, because, as you probably already know, the effects of it last for a lifetime. Even after it is no longer being used. Those memories stay with a person. There is of course hope. A LOT of hope.. the bible says that it is not only possible to renew the mind, but it is a duty. So God enables and does the work in this, when we abide in the vine.. and not in this other stuff.
Just sugar and caffeine in general. Although, now it's more caffeine than sugar, because I've been through a week of finals. It seems like I can't through the day, conscious at least, without a pot of coffee with breakfast.
In the midst of your sadness and woe, when you are tormented and afflicted, have comfort! God's will is done.
well, I am not usually much help in this area lol....but you really could switch to something decaffeinated. Like decaf coke or coffee. When the withdrawal headache comes, take some tylenol lol.
But.. as far as getting the energy needed to stay awake and alert.. excersise so good for that. That by the way, is also something that I'm TELLING you from experience.. not just suggesting LOL, that will do more to prevent diabetes! I also come from a long line of diabetics, and so does my husband. So our children are doomed.. or maybe not! I have had gestational diabetes three times now. The last pregnancy was good in that I was able to put off taking injections of insulin for meals til my third trimester. How did I do it? I EXCERSISED. Many many sources say that if one excersises, they can avoid the onset of diabetes, and if they are already taking injections, they can maybe even go OFF of them..... all because of excersise. Um.. I'm feeling a tangent coming on lol.. so I will stop now. We deal with diabetes every single day here, as my husband is a diabetic. He knows the benefit of excersise too, because when he mows the lawn, or shovels the snow, he gets a low sugar attack. Excersise will practically get you into heaven! Do it.
I have had a struggle with the same thing. Switched over to the decaf diet coke and now every one is warning me about consuming to much artificial sweetner. Seems that there is a possibility that I could be frying my brains out with neutrasweet.<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/sick.gif" alt="" />
If I may I say one thing about your post on a positive note though...I have had the pleasure of serving the Lord through a jail ministry for a pretty good while, and have seen many young men who are probably in your age group get sent off to do some serious time.
Anyway, I seldom run into young men who profess a "coke" problem and mean sugar and caffine. Praise the Lord that He has kept you from so many of the terrible snares that satan seems to use against the young.
Stay strong in the Lord. And, oh yeah....
...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I salute you with my diet coke.<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bravo.gif" alt="" />
Hey You.... I didn't put this in my favorites, so of course, i forgot that I responded to this thread! lol Happy Birthday!! (a day late)
as for "what else is there?" Well.. there is walking for at LEAST 20 minutes every day, morning is better for diabetics, (because it helps to control sugar all day) but anytime is better than no time <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> It will help you sleep better/more efficiently, and help you have more energy.. oh the list goes on!! How do you think I can live on 6 or so hours of sleep, take care of a husband and run after four toddlers... AND keep up with this board!!! LOLOL
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