When I was in my 20s we went to the bars to dance and drink. We went almost every weekend and we had our favorite places. We were VIP members at one and could skip the lines.

Studying Psychology, I one day wondered if I was an alcoholic. Everything you read on alcoholism says that, if you can even ask yourself that question, you’re not. Still, I decided to stop drinking. Done. I didn’t have another drink for months, then years. At first, it was to see if I’d have a problem stopping. I didn’t. Then, it became a choice because I was appalled by the way others acted when they were drunk and realized, I was just as susceptible to the same dumb-assery. None of these people thought or realized how idiotic they looked but, being cold sober, I decided I didn’t want to be in that position of stupidity ever again. Then, I refrained out of sheer stubbornness because, over and over, people would try to insist that I have a drink; “Just one drink!” The more this happened (and it happened a LOT) the more I was determined not to give in to peer pressure.

Starbucks became an addiction. It was delicious. I had one every day for months, maybe years. I don’t recall. It was expensive and it was wrecking my skin so I decided to stop. That was a little tougher than alcohol but I got through it. I wanted one every time I saw a shop but eventually that urge subsided.

The Excedrin addiction happened more subtly. It started with a headache that Tylenol didn’t help. Excedrin was amazing! The headache was gone AND I had extra energy! What is less known are the rebound headaches that require more Excedrin. Finally, I realized that I’d been taking an Excedrin almost every day so I stopped cold turkey. Ouch! After a week, I was fine.

Pepsi has been a lifelong addiction but one I recognized and didn’t care that I had. I stopped drinking Pepsi each time I became pregnant but went right back the first chance I got. Most recently, I was drinking one for lunch and one for dinner every single day. I’d even have one with breakfast if the meal was savory (not sweet). I had no inclination to stop until my daughter pointed out that, if I was truly going to diet, I should stop drinking Pepsi. She was right and I haven’t have one in 5 days. Boy, do I miss it!

Why this walk down Addiction Lane? Because, as I suffer through the Pepsi withdrawal, I have learned one thing about myself regarding addictions: I’m pretty fucking badass when I decide to stop!