March 31, 2008...8:30 am
Notes from an ex-addict
Passing by the kitchen at work used to be an ordeal for me a few weeks back when I was a newbie suffering withdrawal symptoms from giving up kaapi. It struck me pleasantly as I passed it today that it did not affect me as much. Standing by the coffeemaker to fill my tall glass of water from the filter, each day the image of Bruce from Nemo smelling Dori’s blood used to flit past my eyes. I would feel the urge to pick up half a cup, may be even just a sip of coffee for old times sakes. But I resolutely shrugged it off and came back to desk. Every single day these six weeks.
Today I realized I was slowly but surely edging towards the ex-addict side. Chances of my relapsing into addiction again were a teeny weeny bit lower. I could look forward to the day when I can say No to coffee when someone lovingly offers some.
Much as all this is happening, I can still not think of it as a vile drink or vilify it. I look at it more like a necessary evil. One for which I have no need now. I used to hate it when K referred to it like it was the devil. I still do. But it is hard to ignore the changes in my system after I came clean. No acid reflux, better digestion and definitely better sleep at night.
In some ways I wonder if this sends a message to me to review my other ‘habits’ and take the steps to detox?
9 Comments
March 31, 2008 at 8:52 am
We strike again….I was addicted to it earlier…I got used to it while I lived abroad..I used to drink expresso,…fresh coffee brewing at office and it took a while to resist it…I drink now only on special occassions or when I feel the urge…offlate its once in a month or two and I totally love it… I agree I can never think harm about it… coffee is very dear… and am glad that I enjoy it and its not an addiction anymore…
March 31, 2008 at 10:35 am
Wow super Laksh! :–
Definitely it is a healthy choice to substitue coffee with green tea.
Soon you will be able to resist coffee and have it once in a while and still not feel addicted to it.
Here is to a healthier life style ! ;–
March 31, 2008 at 11:02 am
good for you Laksh that you are making the choice whether you want that cup of coffee or not. It is not a vile drink. Infact, it does have uses of its own….anything in excess or rather addiction to anything is obviously bad.
March 31, 2008 at 11:04 am
Very good Laksh; As SK sd its good to replace Green Tea. Hope a read thro this helps. http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1157202.
March 31, 2008 at 11:21 am
Yay… glad you have come to the other side
March 31, 2008 at 11:36 am
Battling addiction of any kind is no easy task and requires humongous will power. Collars up! on that.
March 31, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Good for you, Laksh. Even I was addicted earlier, but now I just limit it to once/twice a month or when I have a very bad headache.
March 31, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Actually I got used to not drinking coffee, nowadays when I drink one early in the morning, I feel like throwing up. So I start my day with a cup of lukewarm water with lemon juice.
April 1, 2008 at 5:58 am
@Rupa: Right not not even thinking of once in a while though the temptation is strong
@SK: Green tea is great but am also experimenting with Ginger tea and Peach tea and a host of other unnameable teas
@Aparna: True. Excessive is key. Will try and remember.
@Deepa: Thanks for the link. I could not get to work. Wonder if it was the firewall. Will try at home
@Akay: Yayy!!
@Suman: True. Just that somehow coffee does look like its addictive
@Madhu: Nice idea. Lots of people have suggested lukewarm water with lemon and honey. Will try that.
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