Anonymous wrote:OP here: regardless of this being an emotional dependency or a chemical dependency, it's still a dependency. Chemicals get us addicted by unleashing chemicals in our brain that makes us feel good. That feeling is what we go back for.
I have tried to go cold turkey. Then every time I have a rough patch, a stressful week or something really upsets me, I go back. Do you know how stupid I feel walking into a grocery store with my kids past their bed time because I HAD to have chocolate milk? Do you know how embarrassing this is? Trust me, if it was just a matter of will, I would never had chocolate again.

And yes, my kids are allowed to have chocolate milk. Only once in a blue moon, however.

You're trying to legitimize your habit. Stop the legitimizing. Unpack this a little and then work on the habit. So your dad helped you develop the habit and then left when you were 14; obviously, there's more to this story. The only thing that's odd about your substance of choice is that it's only one substance (once sugar=love, all sugar means love...).

Couple of things: Heart Math Em wave machines can help you calm down; use it before you'd have a chocolate milk usually (there's an iPhone earpiece and app). The book The Power of Habit has an appendix that gives the five steps for breaking a bad habit. There is a trigger, you are getting a reward and so the habit continues. If all else fails, there's always Overeaters Anonymous. This is a problem because the food is woven into your emotions, OA can help untangle that for some people.

Anonymous wrote:I like the idea of gradually diluting it until eventually it's all milk, or just a little bit of chocolate in it. Have you tried talking to a therapist about it? Someone who specializes in addictions might be at to help you work through the emotional aspects and find other ways of coping with stress. Good luck OP, you can do it!

+1, start with just altering 1/4 of your dose once a day with 1% or 2% milk- don't go skim because you want the creamy milk sensation to balance put the decreased flavor. Eventually do this with both doses. "Harm reduction" is the treatment model. I think this is more effective than cutting it out entirely as it had a powerful emotional component (recreating the love, nurturance & safety you felt when your Dad gave it to you). Be easy on yourself- there is some sadness attached to your habit and letting it go too fast might create a backlash for you. You can do it!

Maybe if you deal with the issues with your father, you will be able to address the issues with chocolate milk.... It obviously means something much deeper to you.

OP, I understand having an addiction that seems silly. I display addicted behavior about sugar, especially ice cream. I too have made excuses to go to the grocery store to get my fix. I eat it alone, I hide it, I think about it when I am not having it.

I am not overweight (somehow) and I exercise daily. However, going on a binge is ruinous to my health, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It kills my sex drive, makes me irritable and low energy with my little kids.

I am currently off the stuff and feel great. I did it by fasting for 3 days, then eating very little/very healthily for 3 more days after that. This breaks my cravings for it. It is not easy though, and you can't cheat. Evenings are the hardest, but if you live in a safe enough area, packing your evening with a long walk, tea, and early sleep will get you through it.

And get ready for the flow of energy and ideas and motivation into your life! Good luck.

I like the idea of gradually diluting it until eventually it's all milk, or just a little bit of chocolate in it. Have you tried talking to a therapist about it? Someone who specializes in addictions might be at to help you work through the emotional aspects and find other ways of coping with stress. Good luck OP, you can do it!

Cut it out completely for 2 months, and then you will appreciate it as a treat. I had very similar issues with regard to orange juice. I would go through so much! After an elimination period, I now have a glass every month or two and it is great, but I am no longer dependant.

Anonymous wrote:OP here: regardless of this being an emotional dependency or a chemical dependency, it's still a dependency. Chemicals get us addicted by unleashing chemicals in our brain that makes us feel good. That feeling is what we go back for.
I have tried to go cold turkey. Then every time I have a rough patch, a stressful week or something really upsets me, I go back. Do you know how stupid I feel walking into a grocery store with my kids past their bed time because I HAD to have chocolate milk? Do you know how embarrassing this is? Trust me, if it was just a matter of will, I would never had chocolate again.

And yes, my kids are allowed to have chocolate milk. Only once in a blue moon, however.

OP, I once worked in an office that had a hot cocoa machine. That shit was SO GOOD. At some point, I realized I was having three hot cocoas a day, and decided it was probably too much. So the next day I had none, and got a wicked headache. Withdrawal. Cold turkey is not the way to go. Wean off it. What I'd suggest is getting chocolate syrup instead of pre-made chocolate milk, and pouring less and less in each day. Less chocolate syrup each day, and smaller and smaller glasses each day. Also, find something that is soothing to you to replace the morning and evening milks. A big part of it is the ritual. Maybe after you've weaned yourself chemically you can replace the morning chocolate milk with a different drink like orange juice, and the evening drink with Sleepytime tea. You see? Address both, one at a time.

OP here: regardless of this being an emotional dependency or a chemical dependency, it's still a dependency. Chemicals get us addicted by unleashing chemicals in our brain that makes us feel good. That feeling is what we go back for.
I have tried to go cold turkey. Then every time I have a rough patch, a stressful week or something really upsets me, I go back. Do you know how stupid I feel walking into a grocery store with my kids past their bed time because I HAD to have chocolate milk? Do you know how embarrassing this is? Trust me, if it was just a matter of will, I would never had chocolate again.

And yes, my kids are allowed to have chocolate milk. Only once in a blue moon, however.

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are not "addicted." You have fallen into a lifelong bad habit that you are smart enough to realize has to stop. It will not be easy, but you just have to do it.

You know yourself better than any of us. For me, substituting other chocolate (beverages or otherwise) would NOT be the answer. I would just go cold turkey and suffer through a week or so of headaches and cravings. Eventually, your palate will change and you will not crave the stuff the way you do now. But -- and this is key -- you have to be willing to go through the tough part without giving in.

Try cutting out all chocolate flavors from your foods as well. And then just stop. Take it one day at a time. When you crave the chocolate milk, go do something else (exercise, perhaps?) It will take some time, but not forever. And then you will come to a point where merely looking at chocolate milk will make you sick to your stomach.

PS - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT HERE -- THIS IS WHY PARENTS SHOULD NEVER START THEIR KIDS ON CHOCOLATE MILK IN THE FIRST PLACE! IT IS CRAP AND THEY DON'T NEED IT!!! STICK TO PLAIN MILK, PLEASE!

Listen, I have no doubt that OP is struggling with her horrible chocolate milk habit. However, there is nothing inherently evil about chocolate milk. Sure, kids shouldn't have it all the time but c-milk can serve as a great substitute for other, more sugar-laden items in one's diet.

I hate to say it but OP's problem has more to do with just the sugar addiction. She mentioned that her father gave it to her daily until he left when she was 14. I'm sure her "need" for chocolate milk has much more to do with her subconcious desire to stay attached to those happy moments with her dad. It could've been anything -- in this case, it was chocolate milk.

OP, you are not "addicted." You have fallen into a lifelong bad habit that you are smart enough to realize has to stop. It will not be easy, but you just have to do it.

You know yourself better than any of us. For me, substituting other chocolate (beverages or otherwise) would NOT be the answer. I would just go cold turkey and suffer through a week or so of headaches and cravings. Eventually, your palate will change and you will not crave the stuff the way you do now. But -- and this is key -- you have to be willing to go through the tough part without giving in.

Try cutting out all chocolate flavors from your foods as well. And then just stop. Take it one day at a time. When you crave the chocolate milk, go do something else (exercise, perhaps?) It will take some time, but not forever. And then you will come to a point where merely looking at chocolate milk will make you sick to your stomach.

PS - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT HERE -- THIS IS WHY PARENTS SHOULD NEVER START THEIR KIDS ON CHOCOLATE MILK IN THE FIRST PLACE! IT IS CRAP AND THEY DON'T NEED IT!!! STICK TO PLAIN MILK, PLEASE!

Make your own with nice creamy whole milk, unsweetened cocoa powder and splenda or stevia. Just blend it all together and enjoy ice cold.

Have you tried gradually reducing your intake?

http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/coconut-milk-beverages/chocolate

100 calories and full chocolate milk flavor.

Have you tried this:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/chocolate-egg-cream-recipe2/index.html

I know this is gonna sound like a troll post, but it's really not, I'm not that creative.
My dad got me addicted to chocolate milk since I was 1. He would bring me a bottle (then later a cup) in the morning and another before bed. He did that everyday until he moved out when I was 14. By then I was already addicted.

Fast forward two marriages, pcos and two kids later, this thing is killing me! The amount of sugar is way more than I should have, specially with my insulin resistance. I KNOW this, and I have tried substituting it with diet shakes or what have you. I've tried stopping it altogether. Every time I have extreme bouts of headache and irritation. What the hell can I do? I know this is not healthy and there is not way I can lose the weight I need to when the chocolate milk adds almost 1000 calories to my day.

It sounds stupid, I KNOW. But I need help.