I had thought earlier I might erase a thread here, but I think not now.

For people who are sensitive to caffeine, there are no benefits to be outweighed. It is mandatory that the chemical be removed if one is ever to recover from the serious injury it causes the brain over long-term use. That has been made clear numerous times on this forum and has been confirmed by people who see the damage in brains of deceased victims.

One person who is alcoholic made the comment yesterday that she has been criticized by her sponsor for feeling that she couldn't indulge in coffee as part of her remission plan. The sponsor felt that caffeine was an essential for the alcoholic since he/she always had to have something to assist with the replacement of feeling tone which was derived from alcohol. That's nonsense. The girl was sensitive to caffeine and was completely correct in removing it from her system as quickly as possible and never using it again. (Someone told me years ago that an alcoholic drinks coffee when not drinking alcohol. I have no idea if that is true. Some of you who are in remission may know the answer to that.)

One of the big problems with caffeine (in addition to long-term brain damage occurring in those sensitive to it) is that it leaves a highly acidic residue following digestion. It is often the acidic residue of medications that is difficult for many bipolar patients to metabolize; and since caffeine slows metabolism, it could easily affect those who are sensitive to it in additional ways, such as having prolonged psychic disturbance from acidic residue of medications plus caffeine circulating in the fluids and organs of the body. In other ways, it is absorbed by organs of the body and each additional cup acts as a bolus for the sensitive individual. I've read recently that it may contribute to adrenal fatigue, as well--probably just for those sensitive to it, however.

(Must not leave a subject without offering some helpful information about how to alleviate some of the problem: using a lemon (cut and squeezed) into a glass of ice cold water will help reduce acidic residue. If one doesn't work, the second lemon,(4 hours later) squeezed into another glass of ice cold water will reduce strongly acidic reactions and leave the system feeling calm. It works for many, hopefully for anyone here who needs that.)

I am one who is sensitive to it and I know how it affected me for years. It was only after removing it from my diet that I was enabled to cut back on psychotropic meds and maintain chemical stability. There are others who know that sensitivity, as well. For us, caffeine is poison. Thank God we have our senses clear now.

Passion222, I hope this helps you. I'm exhausted regarding this theme.

Take care.