Hi

Can anyone give me some help with how to tackle my 12 yr old son's addiction to coca-cola? Sometimes he spends up to an hour a day talking about it, questioning me about when he will get his next 'fix' and bargaining for ways to get even more than his allocation of one can per day. 

I know he isn't able to process sugars very well which I am addressing with enzymes, but there is also an emotional component to this. I don't believe in taking it away completely, as he will just find another replacement, or become even more deceitful in his attempts to get money to buy himself the drink.

I don't know where to start really, even though I am a practitioner working with adult clients with addictions.

Thanks for any guidance anyone can offer

Marian

Hello Marian,

Ah the great taste of coke. I'm guessing that the recipe formulated is no accident!

As you are asking about surrogate tapping have you read the various articles on surrogate tapping within this parents forum? Fundementally, within surrogate tapping we need to be clear and honest about our emotion connected with the issue and I always recommend - Parents Tap on yourself First. (see other posts)

As you say getting underneath the emotional part is obviously key. Also. What are his feelings about not having the drink? What are his interests/passions? 

My other question is to ask whether your son does tapping willingly?

Could be encouraged to tap on the cravings?

I have worked with a number of young people, both male and female with a liking for coco-cola amongst other sugar laden and carbohydrate goodies. I am connected with a locally funding health scheme to trial EFT for some seriously overweight children age range 10-15. Three months ago, we had a number of group and individual session working on all the emotional drivers below the surface. We also tapped on the cravings for each food product one by one. I allocated a couple of hours for each child and saw them seperately. I had them bring along there favourite foods (none of which were healthy). In turn we used the cravings routine with tapping on the sensation, packaging, smell, etc, rating each one and then doing some rounds.Chocolate was the first, then coke, then crisps and by the time we came to the fourth product, pizza (there had been ten on the table). Amazing results, each of them became totally turned off, particularly as they said things like ' uggh, the smell, it's horrible'. Easily within those two hours, each child were amzed by their instantaneous change of heart from 'I'm starving I could eat the lot right now' to ' take it all away'. Three children individually all spontanously went over to the fruit bowl over the other side of the hall and chose a piece of fruit. That wasn't part of the plan, EFT is wonderful.

These quick results, coupled with some work with the parents, a healthy eating plan and exercise plan (not from me that bit) and a fresh perspective for every child involved, weight is tumbled away.

Keep posting.

Best Wishes

Christine 

 Hi Christine

Thanks for your lengthy and generous reply. My son might be willing to tap, but only if it will make him like coke even more and to make it no longer harmful for him so he can have more of it safely! 

Being only 12, there are lots of things in the world he wants to do, but feels that the world won't accept them from only a 12 year old! He never has understood the difference between children and adults, and nearly every avenue, even joining some clubs or forums online, he has found restrictions on age! During troubled times at school, I think he made a silent vow to himself that said that if the world didn't want what he has to offer, then he will no longer offer it. This is tricky because he needs to offer it and feel that it can be accepted if he is to break free of addictions - or am I mistaken here?

 Will tackling it at a cravings level only work, or will he just have to go and find another addiction?

I'm tapping for myself on "Even though it feels like I can't find a way in to this problem, I deeply ....."

Even though I feel as though I'm not doing enough, I deeply ...

Hi Marian,

Thank you so much for sharing your heart here on the forum. It sounds like quite a struggle. 

I think that it is good to tap on yourself like you stated above. You may want to add, Even though:

• I feel really frustrated that I can't seem to find a way with this problem...
• I feel that some how I should be doing more or better or something that I am not doing...
• I feel like a failure, and with my own son...
• I can't seem to get it quite right, and I feel ______________...

I feel a lot of compassion for you.

In tapping with your son, like you said, if he is willing (if there is someone else who isn't as close who is able to joke and tap with your son...) Otherwise, some things that you may want to include would be, Even though

• I love coke and I don't want to have less, and I am an awesome kid
• one coke a day isn't that bad. I could drink a lot more, and I am an awesome kid
• my parent and I fight over me drinking coke...
• you can't make me stop drinking coke...
• I like sneaking around...
• I like getting negative attention from my parent...

Just a few things that you may or may not find helpful.

Wishing you the best,

JoAnn