In most 12-step programs, the first step to recovery is to admit that you have a problem.
OK. Here goes…
My name is Heather, and I’m a Diet Coke addict.
There are people who will dismiss my Diet Coke problem because they don’t believe it’s possible to be “addicted” to a seemingly innocent carbonated beverage. I understand, because I used to feel the same way.
Then I tried to quit.
Since college, I’ve had a serious Diet Coke habit. On a normal day, I’ll drink 3 cans, but on a bad day I might drink as many as 6. Despite my excessive Coke consumption, I never really believed that I was addicted. There were a few times when I half-heartedly tried to quit, but I never took it seriously until I got pregnant. During my pregnancies I gave up caffeine entirely, and I was shocked at what this did to my body. I was head-achy, nauseous, sleepy and irritable. When I felt stressed, I would wander into the kitchen and rummage through the refrigerator, hoping to find one last can stashed way in the back. Without my Diet Coke, I was grumpy, anxious, and miserable.
It was then that I realized the hold that this supposedly innocuous beverage had on me. I tried drinking nutritious substitutes like water, milk, coffee, and fruit juice, but there was simply no substitute for the bubbly, sweet, caramel-colored fizziness of Diet Coke. I truly was happier with a shiny, cold can of Coke in my hand. I was hooked.
Diet soda fulfills sweet cravings, offers a burst of caffeine energy, and has no calories. I absolutely love it, and I’m not alone. Celebrities like Elton John, Victoria Beckham and Bill Clinton admit to Diet Coke addiction, and I recently read an ABC News article about a 29-year-old woman who drinks 12 cans a day. She said,
“It’s my water. It keeps me going. It’s the fluid that keeps me alive. I really think I am addicted. I really think it would be very hard for me to stop.”
During my pregnancies I did stop, because the health of my babies was the perfect motivating factor. After a few weeks of Diet Coke freedom, I noticed some very positive changes. I slept better. I stopped waking up in the morning with dry eyes and a parched throat from being in a near-dehydrated state all the time. I stopped feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Overall, I just felt better.
I also saved money. After doing the math, I realized that I was spending about $25 a month on Diet Coke. That’s $300 a year kids. I don’t know about you, but I can think of much better uses for that money.
The sad thing is, after each of my children were born, I gradually fell back into my Diet Coke habit. Right now, I believe that I’m more addicted than I’ve ever been in my entire life, but I’m also the most determined to quit. I’m angry that I’ve allowed a stupid beverage to control me, and I’ve decided to finally kick the habit once and for all. I’ve had enough.
It’s not going to be easy, but here’s my plan of action:
1) I’m going to gradually cut back. I know from experience that quitting cold turkey simply does. not. work. So, I’m going to slowly reduce my consumption from six cans a day to one, and then to none.
2) I’m going to gradually go caffeine-free. People forget that caffeine is an addictive drug, and it’s part of the reason why soda is such a hard habit to break. I’m going to buy caffeine-free soda, and gradually decrease the number of caffeinated drinks I have each day, as I work toward kicking the soda habit completely.
3) I’m going to stock up on alternatives. For me, the allure of Diet Coke is not just the caffeine – it’s the flavor and bubbles too. As a substitute, I’m going to keep the ingredients on hand for what my husband and I call “fizzy drinks.” Our favorite is 1/4 orange or cranberry juice mixed with 3/4 club soda. This offers just enough flavor and fizz that I won’t miss my soda so much. I hope.
4) I’m going to pray, and lean on God, because He is strong and I am weak. I know that I can’t do it without Him.
My goal is to be Diet Coke-free for good by the end of February. When I do finally succeed in quitting, I know that I can never take another sip. It’s just too easy to fall back into my bad habits, and I don’t want to go down that road again. Enough is enough.
If you too are addicted to diet soda, and you need help quitting, click here to find a support group in your area.
No, I’m not kidding. See, it’s a serious problem!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have also am a slave to the stuff. I have met people along the way who had the same addiction and we have kind of laughed off the “addiction” but i think it is a big problem. I started in college with one can a day and started buying more and more over the last 20 years. I have shared with people over the years but no one has really taken it seriously. I even went to some drug addiction support groups and was laughed out. People think because it is not achohol or other drug it is not serious. I just need to stop and I need help. My wife is sick of seeing cans in the car, bottle and cups all over the house. I am embarrassed to say how much money I spend on it. Do you know others with the habit. I would love to find a group. I live in South Florida. Thank you.
I hate to admit that I too am addicted to diet coke.. I’m was an 8 (16oz) bottles a day addict. Scary! One day my hubby stated, “you only have 2 more bottles left”, I was stunned for it had been only a few days since he’d bought 2 cases from Costco. I got angry and told him not to purchase any more, he laughed and said “yea, right”. That was it, I was done.. I didn’t realize just how much I was consuming until that moment and after 3 days I noticed I was sleeping a full night, the bloating was going away and I was more clear of mind. It has been close to 30 days and I have not gone back to drinking diet coke though I did taste one and I was totally grossed out. What had my taste buds been thinking all these years? I’m determined to stay away from the poison and when I do have moments of weakness I remember this is just poison and marketing from a company that could give a rat’s butt of the damage it has causes. Keep up the good work peeps!