</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
I am so addicted to Mt. Dew.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Well, maybe you should get your Mountain Dew in Canada? I well remember my first experience with caffeinated Mt. Dew. I was thirsty as anything after a long road trip into the States, and I was looking for something to hydrate with before going to bed. This was before bottled water, BTW. I found a vending machine, and bought 3 Mt. Dews, and chugged them. Didn't sleep a wink. Did the same thing, another time, with Mellow Yellow. Talk about false advertising....Anyway....

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
I know that. It's perfectly clear in my head, but my body screams for the caffiene. My head screams for the caffiene.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

The best solution is to taper off, just like you do with other psych meds. Best done by planning ahead, IMHO. Reduce by 20-25% and hold for three days. Repeat. Ibuprofen or tylenol for the headaches.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
A highly knowledgable friend told me yesterday that codiene and caffiene are remotely related.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Well, as a chemist, I'm going to say I disagree with that. They are both alkaloids, but that is a huge category. Just like humans and amoebas are both animals. Caffeine and codeine have very different structures, and have very different effects, as a result.

Please let go of the feeling of shame. Becoming physiologically dependent on a substance is just how our bodies work. Taking a position of insightful introspection gives us the ability to make new choices. Just take it as slowly as you need to, to let your body adjust with some measure of comfort. You don't need to suffer.

Best,
Lar