Are You a Stimulant Addict?

(NB: Sugar means all refined carbohydrates, including biscuits, white bread, soft drinks, chocolate, muffins, cakes etc.)

1.Do you have trouble getting up in the morning?
2.Do you rely on a cup of coffee / tea / cigarette to get you going in the morning?
3.Do you feel tired regularly?
4.Do you feel foggy or dull?
5.Do you have trouble concentrating?
6.Do you use sugar, caffeine, or a cigarette as a regular pick-me-up throughout the day?
7.Are you taking recreational drugs on a weekly basis?
8.Are you often irritable or moody?
9.Do you have trouble falling asleep at night?
10.Do you have headaches or shaking feelings that are relieved by sugar, caffeine, or a cigarette?
11.Do you suspect you are addicted to sugar, caffeine, or a cigarette?
12.Do you find yourself operating from crisis to crisis?
13.Are you drawn to thrills, danger and drama in your life?

If your score is:
Below 5. You are fine. Life has its stresses, keep on trying to be calm.
5 to 10. You a re showing signs of an over-dependency on stimulants to keep you going. Try to cut down your intake of caffeine, sugar and nicotine.
Over 10. You are a stimulant addict and this will be affecting you mental and physical health. You must attempt to stop using stimulant altogether to \"clean out\" your system.

(reference: Natural Highs by Holford and Cases. 2001, Piatkus: Chatham, Kent.)

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