I have an addiction and I'm admitting it.

I tried it a few years ago and I didn't love it. It was weird and different from anything I was used to, so it didn't exactly spark my interest.

I tried it again because I thought there must be a reason so many people are into it. And again it wasn't great but I was trying it on an "as-needed" basis.

Then, out of nowhere, I was hooked.

I never thought that I, of all people, would see the day that I indulged in something I used to hate every day. That there is something in this world, tangible and nonliving that I am dependent on.

I wake up every morning and crave it. I need it. Some days I need more than once. It gives me energy, it gives me the will and it brings me to life.

This addictive drug originates from the tropical areas of Africa and Madagascar, the Comoros, Mauritius, and Réunion in the Indian Ocean, However, I usually obtain it off the streets from my local dealer, Starbucks.

Yes, it's true. I'm addicted to coffee. I need to wake up in the morning and to feel alive. Sometimes I need it mid-day to get through the rest of my classes. I hardly remember my life when I wasn't sucking down a nice refreshing ice cold coffee at 7 a.m. before class, but boy has it changed my life.

There are some good changes it has brought me, but also some not so good changes.

For instance, I have become completely exclusive to just Starbucks. The competitor, Dunkin' doesn't do it for me anymore and don't even get me started on the Keurig. They're both fine in a pinch, or if I need a second dose during the day, but nothing compares to the green goddess.

When I don't have it in the morning, my body reminds me. It starts with the low energy levels and then it forms into a nonstop hammering motion on each of my temples. You can try and mask the pain with the off-brand nonsense and 2 ibuprofen, but the pain doesn't ease until that first sip of that venti iced coffee. Trust me, I've felt that pain before and it isn't pleasant. I've felt it on vacation spots that have no nearby dealers and on late mornings to class...

But now I've learned.

Never book a vacation without seeing if there is a Starbucks nearby. And... if you wake up late, still get a coffee. Because 5 min late to class is better than no information retained at all with that un-caffeinated mind.