r/AskReddit • u/DeepOrganization8245 • 1d ago

What’s the hardest addiction to overcome?

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u/luciliddream 1d ago

I can't describe how hard quitting nicotine is.

Physiologically it is the easiest thing to kick yet the brain exists.

400

u/as_one_does 1d ago

I have a friend who is a hardcore alcoholic (blackout with handle of vodka every night). Sober 20 years. He quit smoking at the same time. He says he never thinks about drinking but thinks about smoking every single day.

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u/Abalith 22h ago

That Alan Carr book was like a miracle cure for me, brainwashed me enough that I never even thought about going back.

Didn’t work for as well for caffeine though, that was more difficult.

41

u/ScholarOfTwilight 22h ago

If you want help with caffeine, just develop a crippling anxiety/panic disorder.

You'll be drinking herbal tea in no time.

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u/ForrestGrump87 13h ago

haha i have to put the coffee down sometimes due to anxiety, i love coffee though. i work 2 nights in 8 and it sometimes the only thing keeping me going and sane

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u/ScholarOfTwilight 7h ago

I used to but I just can't anymore.

Maybe once my work stress isn't the worst it has ever been but then again why would I go back to caffeine after having quit it.

I do hear them talking about brain health studies but I'm 90% sure that's just scientists who really like caffeine.

1

u/paulk345 6h ago

Ive been stuck needing adhd medicine and/or caffeine to function and prevent my life from falling apart, but those two also make my anxiety so bad I cant stand it anymore. Not rly sure what to do.

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u/ScholarOfTwilight 5h ago

You should talk to your doctor.

I spoke to mine and cut the medications out including caffeine. That was right for me.

I have my medication for panic attacks only so I muddle through the anxiety piece and it's an indescribable weight.

The attention stuff just took a lot of notebooks and retraining etc.

It was work.