Okay, so it’s not a drug addiction, but being addicted to Starbucks is more dangerous than it seems. I finally admitted to myself that I had a problem when my Iced Venti Nonfat Chai Tea Latte was waiting for me with my name on it at the cashier before I had even ordered it.

I should have been happy that I didn’t have to wait for my drink like any normal person would be, but for some reason I was sick to my stomach. Had I really gone into Starbucks so many times that the cashier remembered my name and my drink? That is just plain embarrassing. What is even more disturbing is that I spend over $85 on Starbucks a month.

Growing up, I always envied the people at Starbucks who would walk in and the barista would immediately make their drink, but I had never imagined that that person would be me. And to be honest, I wish it wasn’t. The fact that the people working at Starbucks know exactly what I drink in the morning just screams to me that I have a problem, and I need to cut back. But I just don’t think I can stop.

 I wake up every morning with a feeling that something is missing, and that is my perfect blend of chai and milk. At exactly 7:10 every day I get in my car and head to my local Starbucks. I get out of my car, say hello to the same security guard every morning and walk into Starbucks.

As soon as I step through the doors, my mind is at ease. The delightful smell of coffee encompasses me and reassures me that I am going to have a good day. I look to my right, and the same man, wearing his big headphones listening to music, is sitting down drinking his coffee, as per usual.

Once I get in line, the barista normally sees me, and I see him start to make my drink. At first, I was frightened that he knew my drink, because that just cemented in my mind that I really was addicted, but now I have gotten to the point where it doesn’t really bother me, and I sort of enjoy walking in and out of Starbucks within five minutes.

But something in the back of my head knows that this is unhealthy. I should not wake up every morning feeling unfulfilled until I have my Starbucks cup in hand. I can’t stop though. I have tried, but every time I tell myself that I will not go to Starbucks, I somehow end up there. I’m an addict.

I have always heard people say they are addicted to Starbucks, but I never believed they were actually addicted until now. It’s an addiction where you can’t function without it, that crazy feeling you get once you have your first sip and life is just good. I need to stop. I can overcome this. So tomorrow, I will try to skip my morning Starbuck’s run. But then again, I really can’t survive without my iced chai.