Answer Addiction

Tag: coffee

  • Coffee Won't Help Sober You Up

    Coffee Won't Help Sober You Up

    While you might feel more caffeinated, coffee does not improve motor skills that are affected by alcohol.

    Many people who need to quickly sober up reach for a cup of coffee, but while the caffeine might make you feel more alert, it won’t do anything to reduce the effects of alcohol.

    Professor Tony Moss of London South Bank University said that people might feel more sober because they’re caffeinated, but coffee does not improve hand-eye coordination or other motor skills that are affected by alcohol, according to The Independent.

    “We know from wider research that coffee isn’t an antidote to alcohol,” Moss said. “Taking coffee is a stimulant that will reverse that feeling of being slightly tired as your blood alcohol is coming down.”

    However, you’re still impaired, even if you feel slightly better.  

    “The only thing that’s going to sober you up in that respect is a bit of time,” Moss said.

    During a segment for Food Unwrapped, Moss gave five students a glass of vodka and tonic. Each cocktail was custom made to have enough alcohol to make the specific student feel tipsy, according to their body mass. The students were then asked to complete a hand-eye coordination test, guiding a metal loop around a wire without touching it. All five of the students failed the task.

    After having a strong cup of coffee, the students reported that they felt more alert, but all five still failed the test. A breathalyzer reading showed why: drinking the coffee had done nothing to change their blood alcohol levels.

    While coffee won’t sober you up, it might help you feel a bit better after drinking, especially if you’re hungover. Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert told The Independent that while no food or drink can make you less intoxicated, there are certain choices that will make you feel better after drinking.

    “Firstly, your body is often dehydrated after drinking alcohol so it is imperative to drink more water than you usually would,” she said. “Secondly, think nutrients. Although we often crave sugary foods when there is alcohol in our system, try and start your morning with a nourishing dish to help your body to recover. Try something like a refreshing smoothie bowl or a filling porridge with nut butter and berries.”

    If you are trying to sober up, the most useful thing about a cup of coffee is the time it takes to consume. A typical beer or glass of wine takes 2-3 hours to break down in your body, so enjoying a leisurely expresso with a friend will do more than a strong brew to return your motor function to normal.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Sober Joe Supports Recovery, One Cup Of Coffee At A Time

    Sober Joe Supports Recovery, One Cup Of Coffee At A Time

    The national coffee brand raises money for non-profits offering recovery services and funds monthly sober living scholarships.

    Coffee and recovery go hand-in-hand, whether the beverage is being served at 12-step meetings, or just helping someone start their day in the morning. Now, a small-batch, craft coffee company is working to support recovery efforts, one cup at a time.  

    Frank Kerker worked in the beverage industry for 25 years, doing sales and marketing for national brands. However, when Kerker started working a recovery program in 2005 after realizing he was drinking too much, he realized that there was a natural opportunity to use coffee as a fundraiser for recovery. 

    “This was the perfect intersection for me: beverages and recovery,” Kerker told The Fix in a recent interview. 

    Not only was it a good fit given Kerker’s professional past, but there was also a well-established connection between coffee and recovery. 

    “I don’t know why there is that connection, but there is,” Kerker said. “Coffee is mentioned a half a dozen times in The Big Book and 12 & 12. It’s the beverage of choice for 12-step meetings everywhere. It’s ubiquitous, part of the culture. Making coffee is even suggested as a way to perform service work.”

    Last September, Kerker began to use coffee as part of his service work, although he went far beyond making a pot for friends. He launched Sober Joe, a coffee brand that raises money for non-profits offering recovery services. 

    Initially, Kerker was planning to just test the concept, but the positive response was overwhelming. 

    “Virtually everyone is touched directly by addiction and people want to help but don’t know how,” Kerker said. “Buying a product that you use everyday is an easy way to help. Plus, it’s really good coffee.”

    Each month since September, Sober Joe has funded a scholarship to Courage to Change Sober Living, a local halfway house in Bloomington, Indiana, where Sober Joe is headquartered. Kerker estimates the scholarships totaled about $3,000. 

    More recently, Sober Joe partnered with Compassion4Addiction, an organization that aims to change the perception of addiction through compassion and science. Sober Joe is now launching nationally, and proceeds from national sales will be donated to Compassion4Addiction.

    “Shame and stigma can’t coexist with compassion,” said Vicky Dulai, the cofounder of Compassion4Addiction. “If you create a place for compassion, then you can create a space where people can actually heal.”

    Kerker agrees that cutting down on stigma is essential to advancing treatment for addiction.

    “Accurately understanding the problem is the first step in solving the problem and loosening the stigma that stands in the way of effective treatment,” Kerker said. 

    View the original article at thefix.com