I have personally experienced all four of these stages. I am a prime example of a coffee addict. I have all the rewards cards to the major chain coffee shops and I am a proud Gold Star member at Starbucks until 2018 (until I get 100 more stars, then it will be 2019). The stages that a coffee addict go through are very real and they are endless cycles for most of us. Here are some of the stages you may experience when realizing you are a coffee addict.
Stage 1. Denial
You aren't addicted to coffee. Coffee addiction isn't even a thing *rolls eyes*. Yes, you enjoy a cup of coffee (or four) a day, but it's refreshing and keeps you awake. You can stop any time you want.
Stage 2. Anger
You're studying for a test in your favorite study spot -- the coffee shop -- when suddenly the girl next to you decides to question you, "How many coffees are you going to drink today? That's like your third one." How dare that bright eyed, bushy tailed, always too happy girl comment on how many cups of coffee you've had today. It's not like you have a problem or anything, she just needs to mind her own business. You can stop whenever you want.
Stage 3. Acceptance
Okay. You checked your bank account to see how much money you have and you discover that you are broke, because you spent all of your money on coffee. You've come to the realization that you may have a slight (very slight) coffee addiction. No big deal. You aren't going to stop drinking coffee completely though because it does help you stay awake. Even though you know you could totally stop drinking it whenever you want.
Stage 4. Managing
You set a limit for yourself, you're only allowed one cup of coffee a day. All you have to do is stick to your limit. You'll be okay because you know you don't have to stop drinking it completely, even though you know you could.
Stage 5. Neglect
You may have slipped up on your limit a few (hundred) times by making three trips to Dunkin' or Starbucks three weeks in a row. You really don't have a problem though, you just need the coffee to keep you energized and refreshed during the day. You could stop drinking it whenever you wanted to.