Can Addiction Be Cured?

Eight month ago I wrote an post about me quitting drinking coffee in which admitted being a coffee addict. It was a huge deal to me and I bet many of you were smiling at my post with skeptic thought as a good part of these attempt fail. I don't blame anyone for not believing me, I'm also human and skeptic at times when I see someone promising to quit a bad habit. I guess no one in my family believed I can quit drinking coffee as they knew what it means to me, so I guess it's safe to say I was the only one to believe I can do it.

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It was hard at the beginning, especially the first two days but I was strong and knew if I can get past the first week, it's going to be more easier. It's been eight month since than and here I am, living a totally coffee free life.

Today I've been to a family lunch and after lunch, usually coffee is served. Today was the first time when I felt like a coffee would be great. I shared my thoughts with my family and of course, I was offered coffee immediately, and was even encouraged to have one. I said NO right away. No! No! No!

Getting rid of a serious addiction is a huge thing for everyone, not just for me. Some can do it, others can't. It depends on many things but I think mostly it depends on how strong you are mentally.

I believe understanding the problem in the first place helps a lot. If you know how you ended up being an addict and you also know why you are doing it, makes your life a lot more easier and you can quit more easier. Honesty is key here in my humble opinion.

Many times I'm smiling when people are trying to justify their actions (not that they have to, but that's human nature) by telling me they need to drink coffee as they have low blood pressure and they have a headache if they don't. I'm smiling as I also have low blood pressure which can make my life a living hell at times. I knew that when I decided to quit. I knew I'm going to have problems and I was right. There was a day when I was put to the test. That day was a very busy day, a lot of things needed to be done, I needed my mind sharp but when your blood pressure is 87/56, it's hard to concentrate or do anything then being sleepy and dizzy.

This is the moment when you convince yourself that it can't go on like this, you tell yourself you really need what you makes you feel better and you take the easy way out. It would have been easy to have a coffee and I'm sure it would have made me feel much better but I don't think I could have lived with myself after that. Instead I had half a bottle of energy drink, which also contains caffeine, but at least I know I'm never going to be addicted to it. That is for emergencies only. There's always one bottle at home but most of the time ends up in the trash because the warranty period expires. I've thrown out a few over the years and I'm totally fine with it.

Today at the lunch table when the matter was discussed, I could only think of the benefits of quitting. Believe me, there are a few and are extremely important to me.

I got my freedom back, don't have to run around like crazy if I don't have coffee. Caffeine doesn't dominate me any more and I know even if I have low blood pressure, I can live with it. No more excuses and self justifications just to have a coffee. No more!

This was my second attempt. I had one a few years ago, during which I had a two or three month period without coffee, then I had one because I know it can't hurt as I'm strong, right? Then I had another one and slowly I got back to my old habits, justifying to myself each why I needed that coffee. This was a lesson about myself, now I know what a huge mistake that was.

The other wonderful thing, that came as a bonus for quitting drinking coffee is that I'm not carsick any more. This is a huge thing for me as it was making my life complicated. I had no idea coffee is casing this but now I know for sure, which makes me even stronger in resisting.

Besides the obvious benefits, there's another one I haven't told anyone yet. This experience made me more stronger mentally. Now I know I can do a lot if I want to, just need to be honest with myself.