Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 15, 1994 TAG: 9411160057
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTLAND, ORE. LENGTH: Short
The program is designed to help java junkies survive the jitters as they wean themselves from caffeine.
Marsha Naegeli-Moody was up to 10 cups of coffee a day when she and a Portland psychiatrist founded a group for caffeine addicts and patterned it after Alcoholics Anonymous.
Caffeine is ``just like smoking or alcohol,'' Naegeli-Moody said. ``It's addictive, and they're making millions of dollars off of it.''
The group's goal is for each member to become caffeine-free. At each meeting, members start by reciting the ``serenity prayer'' and Alcoholics Anonymous' 12 steps, in which they have substituted the word ``caffeine'' for ``alcohol.''
Kicking caffeine is difficult because so many common products contain caffeine: soft drinks, chocolate, even medications. ``You really have to be a label-reader,'' Naegeli-Moody said.
One member, Chris, wouldn't give his full name because his employer has an interest in a number of coffee shops. He said he turned to coffee when he gave up alcohol and cigarettes.
``I don't know what I'm going to do now,'' he said. ``Probably work more.''
by CNB