Once you’ve started your recovery journey, many strategies can support your success. And your daily habits play a big role in that. For example, quitting energy drinks during early recovery can be an important step. While energy drinks might seem harmless, they can trigger anxiety, increase stress, and disturb your sleep, making it harder to stay focused on your recovery goals and maintain effective self care. Cutting out stimulants like caffeine (which is typically jam-packed into energy drinks along with a plethora of sugar) allows your body to heal more fully and gives you the mental clarity you need to stay on track.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or with maintaining their sobriety, Guardian Recovery is here to help. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care to support you every step of the way. With evidence-based treatments and a focus on long-term wellness, we can help you find balance and achieve lasting recovery. Reach out today and take the next step to a healthier, more fulfilling life.
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Energy Drinks and Early Recovery
Energy drinks have become incredibly popular among teens and young adults, especially to boost energy and stay alert. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, energy drinks are the second most consumed dietary supplement after multivitamins.1 These drinks can contain anywhere from 70 to 300 mg of caffeine, much higher than the 100 mg you’d typically get from an 8 oz cup of coffee.Â
While they might seem like a quick fix for fatigue, safety concerns exist. Studies show that between 2007 and 2011, emergency room visits due to energy drinks doubled, with nearly half involving a mix of caffeine and substances like drugs or alcohol.2
For those in early recovery, energy drinks are a way to stay energized as the body adjusts to sobriety demands. However, the high caffeine content can lead to increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and even physical health issues. These effects can make it harder to focus on recovery.Â
At Guardian Recovery, we suggest gradually reducing or quitting energy drinks altogether, especially since their negative impact on the body can add unnecessary stress during recovery. While we don’t expect everyone to give up caffeine completely right away, transitioning away from energy drinks to healthier alternatives like black coffee or tea can be a helpful step in supporting long-term sobriety.
More on Energy Drinks
Unlike coffee, which is often seen at 12-Step meetings, energy drinks are linked to substance abuse and dependency in some concerning ways. Research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that people who regularly drink energy drinks are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder later on.3 One study from the University of Maryland followed college students for several years and found that those who increased their energy drink consumption were more likely to misuse prescription stimulants, use cocaine, and develop alcohol-related problems.4 This is just one of many studies that highlight the connection between energy drink use and future substance misuse.
If you rely on energy drinks to get through the day, quitting them could be smart, especially during recovery. However, it’s important to approach this change carefully, particularly in the first year of sobriety. Big changes can sometimes add stress, which could lead to relapse. We recommend considering both the pros and cons before making any decisions. The most important thing is to make choices that support your long-term recovery and overall health.
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Pros and Cons to Quitting Energy Drinks in Early Recovery
To help you make the best decision for your health and recovery, here are a few pros and cons of quitting energy drinks during the early stages of recovery.Â
Pros to Quitting Energy Drinks:
- Reduces irritability and anxiety: High caffeine intake can increase anxiety, which many in recovery already struggle with. Quitting helps stabilize mood.
- Decreases sugar intake: Energy drinks are packed with sugar, which can lead to weight gain and health problems. Even sugar-free versions have been linked to weight issues.
- Improves sleep: Caffeine disrupts sleep patterns, and quitting can help establish a healthier sleep routine that is crucial during recovery.
- Helps brain chemistry regulate faster: Substance misuse affects brain chemistry, and quitting caffeine allows your brain to recover more quickly, reducing withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability.
Cons to Quitting Energy Drinks:
- Physical withdrawal from abrupt cessation: If your body has become dependent on caffeine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, fatigue, and more if you suddenly quit consuming it. It’s often better to taper off caffeine slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which can make the process more manageable.
- Emotional stress of going cold turkey: If you’re used to regularly consuming energy drinks, quitting cold turkey might represent a big change in your daily routine. And big, drastic changes may be stressful during early recovery. Rather, gradually limiting your energy-drink intake may represent a more gradual and less jarring change.Â
5 Tips to Effectively Quit
If you’re ready to discontinue use of energy drinks, here are five tips to fuel your efforts:
- Swap for healthier options: Instead of reaching for an energy drink, try replacing one or two with a less-caffeinated alternative like coffee or tea. Energy drinks often contain many artificial ingredients, while coffee and tea are more natural choices with fewer additives, as long as you skip the sugary extras.
- Stay hydrated: While you cut back on one liquid, it’s important to drink enough water as a replacement. Aim for at least eight 8-oz glasses of water daily to keep your body hydrated and feeling good.
- Find a fun alternative: If you enjoy the fizzy feeling of energy drinks, try switching to a healthier sparkling beverage. Flavored sparkling water, kombucha, or sparkling tea can be a great substitute to help you break the habit without feeling like you’re missing out.
- Set a weekly budget: To help limit consumption, set a specific budget for energy drinks each week and then gradually reduce it. For example, set aside $20 to cover a coffee treat and a few energy drinks during week one. Limit that to $15 in week two, and so forth. This will help you gradually cut back while allowing healthier drink replacements.
- Get a buddy for support: Quitting is always easier when you have someone to support you. Team up with a friend who wants to cut back on caffeine and help keep each other on track. Having that extra motivation can make a big difference!
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Contact Us to Learn More About Addiction Recovery
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance misuse, Guardian Recovery’s substance use disorder services and help. Whether you’re struggling to obtain abstinence and recovery, or your battling the urge to relapse, we can help.
When it comes to addiction recovery, we believe in taking an integrated approach, tackling the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual consequences of active addiction simultaneously. Plus, we focus on comprehensive healing and individualized care. Each client is assigned a case manager, who works with the treatment team to develop a unique, personalized recovery program.Â
While each treatment plan is unique, many recovery journeys begin with a short stay in medical detox, followed by an immediate transition into higher care. While residential inpatient treatment often comes recommended, a client might opt to transition into a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP), two forms of outpatient care that offer greater flexibility than inpatient treatment.
To make our treatment options as accessible as possible, we have developed a simple admissions process that can be completed in minutes over the phone.Â
Reach out now to speak with an admissions advisor at 888-483-1517 who can answer your questions, discuss treatment options, verify your insurance benefits, and explore other payment options. The call is free and confidential, and there’s no obligation to enter care. Recovery is possible. We can help.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2018). Energy Drinks.Â
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.(2024). Effects of mixing alcohol and caffeine.
- Arria AM, Caldeira KM, Kasperski SJ, Vincent KB, Griffiths RR, O’Grady KE. Energy drink consumption and increased risk for alcohol dependence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2011;35(2):365-375.Â
- University of Maryland. (2017). UMD Researchers Discover Link Between Regular Energy Drink Use and Later Drug Use Among Young Adults.
