Doing Drugs

EIGHTY PERCENT of the world's population, including children, is addicted to drugs. In particular, one drug. The drug of choice is caffeine. Caffeine is by far the most popular, widely used mind altering chemical substance in the world. An overwhelming percentage of the people who use caffeine use it daily, and, whether they know it or not, are addicted to it. An overwhelming percentage of caffeine addicts do not realize, or refuse to acknowledge, that caffeine is a powerful, mind altering drug and choose not to acknowledge their addiction, even if they suspect it. Many if not most long term caffeine users claim to b unaware of any effect that it has on them, so accustomed to and therefor oblivious to they are to its effect on their brains and nervous systems. Anyone interested in understanding his or her relationship to caffeine need only quit using it, cold turkey, for a time, perhaps two weeks at least. Most people find that when they stop the habit, they are irritable and groggy in the morning, have difficulty focusing on normal tasks, and are less productive. When they resume using it, they report a surge in concentration powers, energy, and productivity. I love caffeine. I love the way it gets me going in the morning, gets me out the door for that forty five minute run, sharpens me, gets me pushing keys and producing essays, typing lesson plans. I drank tea as a child, but only started drinking coffee in my late thirties, when I found that it motivated me to get out of the house and start a full day of campaign for political office, an enterprise I had not previously enjoyed, but suddenly did. while under the influence.considering that I have been on caffeine for over twenty five years, I find it amazing how easily I can forego it for a day or tow, with only slight effects. Two weeks without it might be a different story, but I'll probably never find out. Its my favorite drug, followed closely by marijuana and alcohol, both of which I use far less often than hot coffee. Research indicates that caffeine may have certain positive benefits, such as reducing one's risk of cancer and heat disease, but since the drug remains in the system long after the final cup of coffee - one quarter of it remains in the system at midnight - it can easily interfere with deep sleep, which presents its own health risks. conversely, daily marijuana use impedes the dreaming function, which can have serious psychological consequences. Alcohol, used daily over time, can kill you, and is more addictive than either caffeine of marijuana. My late mother, herself a drug (caffeine) addict, once suggested that I consider decaf, but it still has some caffeine, and, well, I told her, it aint gonna happen. Like most people hooked, I will probably drink caffeinated coffee till I die, and enjoy every ounce of artificial energy, sleep, or no sleep.