How to become a quivvering caffeine addict
To my horror, I have descovered that caffeine is actually an addictive drug, but it’s a little too late, despite my efforts to give up. Heres how it happened…
I was lurred to the dangerous world of caffeine addiction at about foreteen, became a regular tea drinker, thinking it was nothing more than a habit. However, this summer, while travelling in Eastern Europe and Turkey, coffee was more readily available and dangerously strong in places (in Bosnia it is about 40p for a shot of the strong stuff).
But my fatal mistake was bringing back 250g of fresh coffee from Istanbul’s amazing Spice Market, along with one of those copper coffee-maker things, and over the summer, I’ve had at least one cup of it a day.
Right now I’m on day two of cutting down: I’m allowing myself three cups of tea a day, or one cup of tea and a coffee. To begin, I aimed to cut down bacause I think I’m having too much sugar, but the lack of caffeine is getting so bad I’m seriously considering having a cup of tea without sugar (which I hate). It’s that bad… I feel jittery and groggy and can’t stop thinking about it. I know it’s not as bad, but I think I have an idea of what those unfortunates who smoked when they were kids to be “cool”, who are now constantly “on again off again smokers”, which is basically every smoker I know.
So kids, say no to drugs, and turn down your gran when she offers you a cuppa.
Tags: addiction, Bosnia, caffeine, coffee, habit, Istanbul, smoking, tea
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
August 22, 2008 at 10:22 pm
How about the Caramelattes Jon? I went cold turkey on it and got some really serious bad headaches was drowsy and actually shook for a while.
Really serious stuff I really agree with you its weird I didnt drink that many.
August 23, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I heard you get headaches when you kick the caffeine. Haven’t managed to go cold turkey yet, I’m building up to it.
August 25, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Welcome to my world cousin and I’m only 17! Its worse when you have a supply of fresh espresso readily on demand in your own kitchen. My starbucks adiction costs my dearly too £3 for a cup!! bloody outrageous especially when sometimes you buy two a day! Ah well at least I’m not as bad as Lydia she has at least three coffee’s a day and cannot go a morning without one!
xxx
August 26, 2008 at 9:33 am
that’s not good Ruth, you can make Starbucks style coffee at home. You spend 6 quid per day? So over 5 days (lets say) it’s 30 quid? So within about a month you will save enough to go to Bordeoux (sp). That’s where all those EMA pounds are going!? You know how much I hate EMA!!
August 29, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I know , I’m cutting down on my starbucks so I can save up for uni/America next year I want to go to leeds festival AND go to Paris but I doubt I can afford to do all three in one summer. I’ve also become a bit of a nature freak and developed an obsession with herbal teas which have no caffiene and are very good for you! So don’t worry I’m putting my ill-gotten EMA money to good use from september I just need to stop wasting all my money in Topshop and I’ll be right.
xxx
September 3, 2008 at 11:58 am
Oh my god ok erm…yeah…Lex says I’m addicted-like everyone else says! I just didn’t think it actually WAS addictive. I know its a drug, too, but y’know, maybe I just didn’t want to admit it or something. I do get those random headaches that only last a few seconds…Ruth also says its because I don’t drink any water, which is right I don’t I’m too busy drinking coffee instead. I also can’t stop thinking about it either. I had four cups yesturday-how the hell am I gonna go cold turkey, when I don’t even want to! My reasoning is at least it can’t potentially kill me, like nicotine or other drugs, can it?! Also with it being summer most of the time I’m really bored (what with my old job not needing me this holiday; and anyway coffee is availabe in the kitchen there) so then I go make a cup, or two. Oh and its going to to get worse, or not any better anyway! Last year at Uni whenever I had artists block, which was a lot, I’d sidle downstairs and take a little break by getting some coffee from the cafe, or if it was closed I’d go to the machines. They sometimes stole my money, but then I’d put more in! (And, to be honest, as I’m a coffee snob, the coffee at Uni isn’t that.)
September 3, 2008 at 3:47 pm
i meant to say it isn’t actually that good
September 5, 2008 at 12:31 pm
wow, you got it bad Lyd. Admitting you have a problem is the first step, but you’re not quite there yet I think lol.
I’ve cut down but sometimes crave really badly in the even when I’ve filled my quota for the day. I’m not sure if there is any negative health effects to caffiene, but like alchohol, it is dehydrating you maybe do what your sister says and drink more water.
I cut down because I think I have too much sugar, obviously harms your teeth when you have too much.