[munchler]

> And 1-3 espresso shots if I go into the office. I consider the coffee experience positively euphoric. Almost spiritual.

As someone who doesn’t consume caffeine, this sounds a lot like addiction. You can keep the ritual and ditch the caffeine by drinking decaf if you want.

[arcanemachiner]

As someone who is addicted to caffeine, hell yes it is an addiction.

A long time ago, I cut out the addictions that were causing negative effects for me (mainly weed and tobacco). I kept caffeine around since I can get wired and still do my job, and it's not overtly unhealthy.

An addiction isn't something inherently bad. Everyone's addicted to something or another. But how many addictions synergize with one's performance at work?

[Sammi]

An addiction is only a problem if it's a problem.

I had to ditch coffee because of anxiety. So glad I did. But if you're sleeping well and don't feel like you have an issue with anxiety, then lucky you.

[throwup238]

This is why we can’t have nice things (or bathroom stalls that go all the way down to the floor). People be shooting up drugs everywhere, even at work.

[riversflow]

Why does it sound like addiction and not just enjoying something?

I don’t get this sentiment.

[munchler]

Significant doses of a psychoactive drug on a regular basis.

[loeg]

I eat food several times a day and it often improves my mood and ability to focus. Is this psychoactive and/or addiction?

[fuzzfactor]

It could be worse.

What if it was a truly addictive, habit-forming, tolerance-building drug consumed on a habitual basis without ever allowing a full day, week, month, or year of detoxification to occur, regardless of its toxic properties?

Does that sound more like addiction?

[arcanemachiner]

Jeez, fine, I'll put my phone down already!

[loeg]

A necessary component of addiction as a disease is harm. Without that, the rest doesn’t matter.

[fuzzfactor]

>A necessary component of addiction as a disease is harm.

That really widens the basket.

In a case like this I tend to focus on toxiciity alone, whether it is apparent or not, that is one of the known things that can creep up on you and do irreparable damage.