I started drinking “coffee” in fifth grade. Sure, it was just warm milk with a sprinkle of instant coffee and a spoonful of sugar that my mom would make for me before school, but it was a start. Since then I’ve become a pretty (very) regular coffee drinker and have turned away from the days of instant coffee lattes in favor of medium brew black coffee. You could say I drink a lot of the stuff and have been known to make myself a cup at the strangest of hours, but I know I’m not alone in this situation. For all my other coffee lovers, here’s how we know our caffeine addiction may have gotten a little too far.
1. You need multiple cups of coffee to get through the day
Your day can’t start without a cup of coffee and you need a little (or big) pick me up in the afternoon. Let’s face it, you’re probably going to have another cup with dinner too. If you’re going to be up late studying, it’s not out of the ordinary for you to have yet another cup around midnight or even later. You realize your tolerance has gone through the roof because just one cup in the morning doesn’t do anything for you anymore.
2. You start having withdrawal symptoms if you forget that first cup of the day
A couple hours into the day your head starts pounding, and you’re not sure why. But then it dawns on you: you never had your first cup of coffee! Finally, the drowsiness and irritability you’ve been feeling makes sense. Go get your caffeine fix before it gets any worse and you slip into full on withdrawal!
3. You know exactly what you do (and don’t) like from coffee shops
You used to dabble in mocha frappuccinos and iced caramel macchiatos, but you’ve found your true match by now. I just drink regular black coffee with shots of espresso when I need them, but there are lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, macchiatos, regular coffee, cold press and decaf. To be completely honest I truly don’t understand the point of decaf, but if you’re reading this right now I know you agree with me too.
4. You have a definitive stance on the whole Starbucks vs Dunkin debacle
A lot of people feel very strongly about where they get their coffee from. Some swear by Dunkin while other refuse to go anywhere but Starbucks. Dunkin is cheaper for those who are seriously addicted, but Starbucks has that rewards program for its loyal patrons. Either way, I’m sure if you have a favorite, you’re enough of a regular that the baristas know your order as well as your cat’s name. I’m personally not a huge fan of either place, but to each their own.
5. You take espresso shots like a champ
OK well you don’t actually shoot them, but you sure know how to handle your espresso. You definitely know better than to call it “ex-presso” and while you’ve tried the wimpier stuff, nothing does the trick like plain old espresso. Plus, you know that if you need so much caffeine it’s not worth it to have to consume so much extra liquid.
Bonus points if you’ve conditioned yourself to drink your coffee black. No milk, no sugar, no fuss: just coffee.
