Hello,

I'm wondering if there are any books out there on the subject of finding substitutes to drugs. Specifically, I'm looking for substitutes to caffeine. It doesn't have to be other substances either like yerba mate or probiotics, but lifestyle changes or changes in perspective as well.

I figure that finding substitutes to drugs is such a common approach to overcoming substance abuse that there must be tons of research on it. <-- That's what I'm looking for.

Can anyone help me out? Thank you so much.

PS - I realize this is not the place to ask for medical advice (or any kind of advice) so please take this as a request for information resource (books, articles, studies, etc.). Thank you.

4 minutes ago, gib65 said:

Specifically, I'm looking for substitutes to caffeine.

Get a good night's sleep.

On a more general note, I'm told exercise is a pretty good antidepressant.

I've done this and caffeine withdrawal gave me some unbelievable headaches. Eventually, I switched to decaffeinated tea and coffee and took a headache tablet, when I needed it a few times, for couple of weeks. There is still up to 5% caffeine in decaff but it doesn't mess me up any more.

A good conscience as a substitute for drugs?  A good moral life?  Forgiveness of others and of your self?  Good diet?  Temperance in alcohol?  Acceptance of life as it is this moment and not what we think it should be (while trying to improve our own life and others' lives also of course.)   Before intense chemical therapy and radiation for cancer it was treated with psychology for emotional disturbances.  

2 hours ago, coffeesippin said:

Before intense chemical therapy and radiation for cancer it was treated with psychology for emotional disturbances.  

And it killed people.

 

2 hours ago, coffeesippin said:

Temperance in alcohol? 

Thanks for that. Without your remarkable observation there, I  might not have realised that not taking a drug was an substitute for taking a drug.

3 minutes ago, John Cuthber said:

Thanks for that. Without your remarkable observation there, I  might not have realised that not taking a drug was an substitute for taking a drug.

Is alcohol a drug?  The controversy rages on in moderation.