You can develop a dependence on Excedrin by using it as little as 15 days a month. Excedrin also contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. So, with regular use you can develop an addiction to caffeine, as well. [2] X Research source You may therefore have two addictions: one to Excedrin as a pain reliever and another to caffeine. Do you get headaches most days and often in the morning? Do these headaches go away with medicine but return once the medicine wears off? These are common signs of dependence to a pain reliever. Listlessness, nausea, memory or concentration problems, and irritability are also symptoms.
To go cold turkey, just stop taking the drug. You’ll be able to kick the habit quickly this way and will see just how much your body craves Excedrin. The cold turkey method is very hard, though. Prepare for severe withdrawal headaches lasting days or even weeks. You may experience a loss of productivity because of them. Many people give up under these circumstances. To wean yourself slowly, reduce the dosage of Excedrin you take each day. The idea is to do this gradually so that your body becomes used to less and less until you are no longer taking the medication. While the process will last longer than cold turkey, your withdrawal will not be as bad. Expect your rebound headaches to improve 6 to 12 weeks after you’ve stopped taking medication entirely. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
For example, you might have a family member or friend be your “pharmacist. ” They can hide the pills and only allow you a set amount for that day. Kind words and encouragement from family and loved ones is a great boost. It also helps that they know what you’re experiencing, and why you might be irritable or not your usual self. Loved ones can also help you with the weaning process. You may be in bad shape for a few days with withdrawal. Ask family or friends if they can provide food, for example, or pitch in with your errands. People who take prescription headache medicines like Imitrex often receive just 10 pills for the whole month, so you might consider having a family member “dispense” Excedrin to you in this way or limit yourself to 10 per month.
Talk to your doctor about other possible painkillers if you continue to have headaches or migraines. She should be able to suggest an alternative. Read drug labels in the future to see if they have addictive qualities, as well.
Your doctor can prescribe a painkiller that is short acting and non-habit forming, for example. She may also give you meds to alleviate your withdrawal symptoms, like anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteriods. Your doctor may also put you on a detoxification program. Mostly like you will not need a hospital visit. However, in some cases you may be admitted for a short stay, particularly if you aren’t able to stop on your own, are abusing other drugs along with Excedrin, or have limited family support.
Good outpatient centers are able to cater to specific addictions and to tailor a plan for you. They can also provide resources like counseling and prepare you to cope with any mental obstacles. Take into account the services that each prospective program offers. Also consider location. Some may want to be close to family and friends. However, people with unhealthy or co-dependent relationships may need to put distance between themselves and loved ones, at least for a time. Your doctor can most likely recommend a drug addiction center to guide you through the detox process.
A specialist can also prescribe a treatment plant that will help to prevent you from becoming dependent on Excedrin again.
Your therapist will be able to alleviate any concerns that you or your family may have. You can set up a group family therapy session, too, if need be. To offer you coping strategies, a psychologist may also recommend a course of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The aim of CBT is to teach you how to identify and stop problematic behavior. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Institute on Drug Abuse Agency in the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services devoted to researching drug and drug abuse and educating the public Go to source CBT techniques can include discussing the positive and negatives effects of your habit, teaching you how to monitor your cravings, and developing ways to deal with cravings and to avoid “high-risk” situations when you might relapse.
Acupuncture is one alternative treatment. There is some evidence that this ancient Chinese practice can help to bring headaches under control. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source “Biofeedback” is a technique that teaches you better control over your body. You are first hooked up to devices that monitor your breathing, heart rate, and other functions and give feedback. The idea is to slowly learn your natural bodily response to pain and to learn how to reduce muscle tension, control your breathing and heart rate, and deal with pain. Some herbs and “natural” medicines claim to alleviate headaches, like butterbur and feverfew. However, the medical benefit of these herbs is unclear. Talk to a doctor before taking any dietary supplements, especially since they can interact with other drugs you are taking. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Reducing your caffeine intake will help to address a possible source of headaches – caffeine withdrawal headaches – that are unrelated to your normal headaches and to “rebound headaches. ” In addition to coffee, try to limit your consumption of other caffeinated substances like colas, black tea, energy drinks, and chocolate.
As with Excedrin, you can choose to go cold turkey or slowly wean yourself. Cold turkey will be faster but involve worse headaches and poorer concentration. If you decide to go slow, your schedule might look something like this. On Day 1 you drink your usual amount. On Days 2-5, make coffee that is half caffeinated and half decaf. On Day 6, blend 25% caffeinated coffee with 75% decaf coffee. At this stage, your body will be getting used to having less coffee in its system. On Day 7 drink purely decaf coffee. Decaf coffee still has a small amount of the drug, about 2-12 mg. [8] X Research source If you want to go fully without caffeine, switch over to a grain or plant alternative like chicory root. Teas are a great, lower caffeine option. Black and green tea have modest amounts (between 14-70 mg depending on type and how long you steep it), and will work to “cut” your withdrawal symptoms. Herbal teas are usually totally caffeine-free. [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
According to the Mayo Clinic, adult men should try to drink at least three liters of water per each day. [11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Women should try to drink about 2. 2. liters each day.
