Diary of a Diet Coke Addict

I woke up this morning with a faint headache. Perhaps the worst of withdrawal was over and it would be plain sailing from here on? Alas, I hoped too soon. By this afternoon the dull ache had intensified and engulfed the back of my head.

Despite taking painkillers throughout the day, the pain has not eased – or rather the thoughts of Diet Coke running through my mind have not eased. My subconscious is painfully aware that a sip of the black stuff is the only medicine that can alleviate my pain; and takes every opportunity available to remind me of this unarguable fact.

It is incredibly difficult to concentrate on anything else and I am seeing illusions of Diet Coke everywhere. Or at least I thought I was until LSFOADCA (Long Suffering Fiancé of a Diet Coke Addict) admitted that she had built a tower out of all the remaining empty Diet Coke cans in the house, for fun…

Perhaps it’ll get better when I go back to work tomorrow… 😥

“Nothing is certain in life apart from death, taxes and withdrawal symptoms when giving up Diet Coke…” – Old Saying (probably)

The first day of my new life without Diet Coke is coming to an end. It is now 11pm on New Year’s Day and it has been 22 hours since my last drink (queue round of applause as though I am in rehab).

I am in a state of unhappiness and despondency – as LSFOADCA (Long Suffering Fiancée of a Diet Coke Addict) will testify. Clearly, my body is missing what it has become accustomed to: carbonated sweet chemicals.

I have had a constant headache since this afternoon and painkillers are having minimal impact. I am feeling drowsy and finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than the pulsating throbs at the front sides of my head.

Why is this? A quick glance at the ingredients of Diet Coke offers two main suspects – aspartame and caffeine.

Aspartame:

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used in Diet Coke to replace sugar. In short, it enables drinks to be sweet without having any of the calories that are inevitable with sugar. Due to chemical biology, aspartame is highly addictive and the human body is ‘tricked’ into wanting more and more. Not good!

Caffeine:

Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system. Regular consumption causes physical dependence (as any coffee addict will testify!). If you have caffeine regularly and then stop abruptly, the human body will experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, anxiety and irritability. Not good either!

I will explore the relationship between Diet Coke, aspartame and caffeine in much more detail throughout this blog – however at the moment I simply must go to bed!

Roll on day 2…

 

 

Eek! Welcome to my first post. How exciting! Thank you for stumbling across my blog – which could more accurately be described as a ‘confessional’ because what I am about to admit to is both shameful and embarrassing.

I AM ADDICTED TO DIET COKE. There, I said it. Admitting you have a problem is – I pray – the first step to addressing it.

Just how much Diet Coke do I drink? Typically around three litres a day – often more (I am sipping it as I type). My innocent ‘habit’ is the equivalent to:

– 21 litres each week;

– over 1,000 litres a year;

– just under 3,500 cans a year!

That’s pretty bad, isn’t it? No need to answer – I know it is. Which is why I have (finally) decided that enough is enough. I will have my last Diet Coke tonight – New Year’s Eve. After well over a decade of this innocent looking sweet liquid being the first thing to pass my lips every morning and the last thing I taste at night – we are breaking up. I am going cold turkey. Finishing with it. For good. Forever. I will wake up tomorrow on the first day of a new year and new, healthier life. At least that’s the plan!

I know it won’t be easy. For a whole range of chemical, medical and human reasons (which I will explore throughout this blog) this will probably be one of the hardest things I have ever done. You see, I really am addicted to Diet Coke. To me, there is no sound more satisfying than the ‘fizz’ of a cold can opening; and the feeling of your first sip with each drink. I crave it and become quickly irritable without it (just ask my LSFOADCA – Long Suffering Fiancé of a Diet Coke Addict).

I can’t live without the stuff. Except now I have to – because I know it’s not good for me and I have a problem. I’m doing this for my insides and the journey begins – or rather ends – now!

Well, not quite now. There are two cans of Diet Coke left in my fridge and 10 minutes before the clock strikes midnight to usher in the New Year. I’m off to say goodbye to my oldest, most reliable carbonated friend that has been there for me during good times and bad.

Wish me luck…