Confessions of a (Barely) Recovering Addict

I'm going to come right out and say it: I am an addict. (And we all know that the first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?)

Just what is this substance that is my Kryptonite? It's not that uncommon actually...

Yes, it's true. I am a barely recovering Diet Coke addict. I CAN'T HELP IT. I have done the research; I know the reasons why I shouldn't drink the stuff. But it doesn't stop me. (And yes, it's true that you really can be addicted to diet soda - evidence here) There is just something about an icy cold glass of DC that is like a siren's call to me - I have to have it.

Just like any addict, I have an idea in my head of the "perfect" fix. It's different for everyone. Mine is pretty simple. The perfect concoction is known as a "Wawa" in our house - because it's found at Wawa, obvi. Honestly, C doesn't bring me flowers; he brings me a Wawa. He knows that's the way to my heart. It's a 32 oz fountain cup, filled halfway with ice, with squirts of cherry and vanilla syrup, then filled to the brim with cold Diet Coke. FYI - the best Diet Coke is from a fountain. Canned/bottled is seriously just not the same. Be aware. It can also be caffeine-free DC, or Diet Dr. Pepper if I'm feeling frisky, but most days, it's regular ol' DC. The drink that's never let me down.

Now, I do have to give myself a bit of credit. I am truly in recovery mode. I am MUCH BETTER about this than I used to be. I am almost not embarrassed to admit how much of this stuff I used to drink. There was a time in college when I'm pretty sure I existed purely on Diet Coke and cheap beer. I could easily go through a 12-pack in two days or so. If I was pulling an all-nighter/studying/writing a paper/existing, I could probably drink a 12-pack in just one day. Not joking. There was always a can in my backpack (for "emergencies"). A lotttt of the money on my meal plan went to the vending machines in the buildings where my classrooms were - had to have a DC for every class! I didn't drink coffee in the morning, I went straight to the good stuff (which is funny, because DC has significantly less caffeine than coffee... so that rebuts anyone who says a diet soda addiction is actually a caffeine addiction - sort of). A good cold Diet Coke (or two or ten) is how I survived sorority recruitment multiple years in a row, how I got through boring classes and painful tests, and probably why I was a jittery, sleepless mess throughout much of college (also because I applied myself to way too many things and never had any down time, but that's another story). I truly would not have been surprised to have just found Diet Coke flowing through my veins. It was bad, y'all.

But, like I said, I'm better now. A lot better. I have made a huge, conscious decision to Cut The Coke. We don't keep it in the house anymore (usually). I keep a water bottle at my desk and force myself to drink H2O all day instead of DC. I don't have soda with lunch every day anymore. And we try to keep the "Wawas" to a minimum - just on weekends and as special treats. I know that it isn't good for me. I know about the chemicals and the risky ingredients and the artificial coloring. I know that, really, "diet" soda is probably just as bad, if not more so, for you than regular soda. I know all these things. And so I make a concerted effort to keep it out of my life, mostly. And I'm pretty sure that it has had positive effects on my overall health.

But sometimes the craving just hits. Sometimes, I just need a Diet Coke. And that sometimes is today. I woke up thinking about an icy cold fountain Diet Coke. I thought about it all the way to work. I thought about it most of the morning, and then I finally gave in. And that's why I have this:

Come to mama. All is right in the world. I'll try to do better tomorrow.

Also, just for laughs, we have this:

That would be a picture, which my office mate took, of me taking a picture of my soda. Normal Thursday morning activities. Ya know.

Do you have an addiction? Are you willing to admit it? Do you love DC as much as I do?? It's OK. You're safe here. Ha!