I have recently given up an addiction I have been
harboring for about 8 years. An addiction which my friends
and family have urged me to kick. And I have done it, cold
turkey. "What is this addiction?" ,you may ask.
Heroin? Hell no scared of needles.
Prescription painkillers? Anyone who knows me for
a while knows I got a lot after my motorcycle accident but
never got hooked on them.
Alcohol? No; I imbibe heavily on the weekends, but
for the most part moderation is what I preach.
So what is this nefarious addiction?
Caffeine. That's right, ordinary caffeine, available
at any store in the US for a minimal price.
My love of caffeine began in college, when I played
sports, took 12 credits, and worked part-time. In order to
stay awake to study, had to start drinking coffee. My room-
mate got an espresso machine and I fell in love. Caffeine
helped me through uni.
When I graduated and bought into my Starbucks, it
was a pure business decision, but I must admit I did like the
perks of being able to drink coffee all the time.
Coke and Red Bull were my faves, but really a drink
only needed to have caffeine in it to draw my attention. Then,
last week, I realized my massive consumption had health
risks. So I decided to quite, but knew it would be hard. I asked Erika to get some decaf coffee next grocery run and
to SECRETLY put in the tin labelled 'coffee'. I asked her not to
tell me when she was doing this, so one morning I would start
drinking decaf thinking it was the real thing.
After ONE day of no caffeine massive headaches,
I was popping aspirin left and right. Then I got really tired
despite a full nite's sleep. And I got grumpy at work. It was
like this for 3 days, it was like having a bad flu.
Then voila.The urge was gone. I still drink decaf,
but will gradually take myself off that. As an interesting sidenote, since my accident I had been waking up in the morning with bad headaches. I used to pop aspirin before bed and right upon waking up. I thought it was just aftereffects of my motorcycle accident, and since my matt-
ress was old thought it might be that. We got a new mattress
last week and still had them. I told Erika maybe needed to
break in the new mattress. Hell no, since I quit caffeine no
headaches.
It's amazing how something sold over the counter
can be as addictive as it was to me. Addictions vary , and
maybe other people have quit easier then I, but I was up to
1 mug of coffee a day, 1 can coke, and usually 2 Red Bulls.
Then multiple double espresso shots,
The purpose of this isn't to get others to stop using
caffeine, to each their own, but like I said it's scary that
something over the counter could make me sick.
In other news,Social D. 3/6/05 Jannus Landing.
For that concert, I will be drunk- but no caffeine. Later,
harboring for about 8 years. An addiction which my friends
and family have urged me to kick. And I have done it, cold
turkey. "What is this addiction?" ,you may ask.
Heroin? Hell no scared of needles.
Prescription painkillers? Anyone who knows me for
a while knows I got a lot after my motorcycle accident but
never got hooked on them.
Alcohol? No; I imbibe heavily on the weekends, but
for the most part moderation is what I preach.
So what is this nefarious addiction?
Caffeine. That's right, ordinary caffeine, available
at any store in the US for a minimal price.
My love of caffeine began in college, when I played
sports, took 12 credits, and worked part-time. In order to
stay awake to study, had to start drinking coffee. My room-
mate got an espresso machine and I fell in love. Caffeine
helped me through uni.
When I graduated and bought into my Starbucks, it
was a pure business decision, but I must admit I did like the
perks of being able to drink coffee all the time.
Coke and Red Bull were my faves, but really a drink
only needed to have caffeine in it to draw my attention. Then,
last week, I realized my massive consumption had health
risks. So I decided to quite, but knew it would be hard. I asked Erika to get some decaf coffee next grocery run and
to SECRETLY put in the tin labelled 'coffee'. I asked her not to
tell me when she was doing this, so one morning I would start
drinking decaf thinking it was the real thing.
After ONE day of no caffeine massive headaches,
I was popping aspirin left and right. Then I got really tired
despite a full nite's sleep. And I got grumpy at work. It was
like this for 3 days, it was like having a bad flu.
Then voila.The urge was gone. I still drink decaf,
but will gradually take myself off that. As an interesting sidenote, since my accident I had been waking up in the morning with bad headaches. I used to pop aspirin before bed and right upon waking up. I thought it was just aftereffects of my motorcycle accident, and since my matt-
ress was old thought it might be that. We got a new mattress
last week and still had them. I told Erika maybe needed to
break in the new mattress. Hell no, since I quit caffeine no
headaches.
It's amazing how something sold over the counter
can be as addictive as it was to me. Addictions vary , and
maybe other people have quit easier then I, but I was up to
1 mug of coffee a day, 1 can coke, and usually 2 Red Bulls.
Then multiple double espresso shots,
The purpose of this isn't to get others to stop using
caffeine, to each their own, but like I said it's scary that
something over the counter could make me sick.
In other news,Social D. 3/6/05 Jannus Landing.
For that concert, I will be drunk- but no caffeine. Later,
VIEW 18 of 18 COMMENTS
Now, coffee barely affects me either way. I guss my nervous sytem is too fried. I like the taste but it has no pharmalogical effect, I'm not hooked on it.
[Edited on Mar 14, 2005 6:06AM]