Who doesn’t enjoy that steaming cup o’ Joe in the morning? Once you’ve shaken off the blurriness of sleep and are ready to start a new day, you may begin to notice that the little caffeine in coffee (as well as the cream, sugar, or chocolate you might add) give you the much-needed boost to help you carry out tasks. However, as it turns out, your Starbucks regular is particularly common for another group of consumers: former alcoholics and alcohol abusers. Obviously, if you have known alcoholics or suffered from this problem yourself, you will be all too familiar with the image of a woman sipping a cup of coffee outside an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Still, what is this connection between a morning drink and a life-threatening drink? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
The Good Old “Sober Drug”
At nearly every 12 Step program across America, people offer visitors complimentary treats, including, as you guessed, coffee. What they are not telling you is that the caffeine you are sucking down is one of the most prevalent “sober drugs” in our country. What do we mean by that exactly?
Generally speaking, caffeine is the most widely dispensed stimulant on the market and is 100% legal and fully regulated. In fact, both children and adults consume this drug on a daily basis. After all, caffeine doesn’t trigger a form of addiction, though it can create dependency.
Is Excessive Coffee Drinking Dangerous to Former Alcohol Users?
In hindsight, caffeine is not tagged as a “mind-altering substance,” as consumers are still in full control of their faculties after consuming it. Coffee doesn’t send you on a murderous rampage or into a stupor of despair and seizures. Nevertheless, some medical experts still consider the presence of coffee in AA meetings questionable. Should alcohol abusers and alcoholics allowed to partake in any drug, even the legal and safe ones?
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Abuse or Alcoholism
Alcohol withdrawal can easily be one of the most frightening aspects of healing. During the course of the recovery process, you will suffer from minor to severe symptoms that may include night sweats, hallucinations, fevers, anxiety, and sadness, but always remember that you can find the strength to overcome these problems. However, you must always seek medical attention when you have decided to cut ties with alcohol, as the withdrawal process can be notoriously dangerous. Never attempt to do this without the supervision of a trained specialist.
If you are suffering from a severe case of alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
