Ask anyone who has spent any time with me, and they will more than likely say that I am an addict. No, I’m not a drug addict. I’m classified as a “Sweet Tea Addict.” Just because I feel the need to drink a large sweet tea every morning, every afternoon, and any other time possible does not mean I have a problem. I deny any accusation that I do.
   Cross country coach/ science instructor Phillip Laney claims that I am addicted. He said that I could in no way last one week without sweet tea in my system. When someone states that I can’t do something, it makes me work harder to prove him or her wrong. As such, I am currently attempting a sweet tea-free week. I am not allowed one ounce of sweet tea from Tuesday, February 10 at 12:30 pm, until Tuesday, February 17 at 12:30.
   By making it through the week without tea, I plan on proving that I am NOT addicted and could quit whenever I feel like it. If I don’t make it all 168 hours, I will admit to the world that I might have a slight problem.
   The hardest thing about quitting cold turkey seems to be that sweet tea is everywhere. As I sat at Mi Pueblo with the Math and Science team the first day of the challenge, I felt as if every one in the restaurant was drinking sweet tea. Although this was not true, the sight of the large glasses of ice-cold tea was torture.
   Whenever I get to my house, the first thing I always do is pour a big cup of tea to enjoy. With this not being possible, I resolve to stay in my room to remove temptation. It becomes a slight problem when I pour my family’s drinks at night. My little sister always requests sweet tea, and so I must grasp hold of the large pitcher and pour it without even a taste for me. My agony can be compared to a former alcoholic sitting in a bar unable to drink.
   No question about it, McDonald’s sweet tea is the best. My mouth begins to water  thinking about the perfect aroma and taste. Accustomed to drinking 2-3 McDonald’s large sweet tea’s per day, the misery of driving past the franchise daily, knowing that it’s impossible to purchase one, is almost unbearable. The first night of my week trial almost ended in disaster. My younger sibling, knowing nothing about my suffering, stated, “I want some sweet tea from McDonald’s. Don’t you want some, Rachel?” My quick reply “No” resulted in her saying, “You always want McDonald’s sweet tea! It’s so good!” I wanted to attack her for saying this. However, she knew nothing about my predicament, so I just ignored the comment.
   As I wake up in the morning, the first thing that crosses my mind is, “I want some sweet tea.” Tears begin to swell as I remember that I can’t have it. I settle for Kool-aid, but this sugar water just doesn’t have the same effect.
   The third day is always the hardest. We ran a really hard day at track, and I pretty much collapsed when we finished. I’m not going to lie. I would’ve done anything for a large tea then. However, in the effort to prove my point, I refrained from getting one. As the week progresses, I begin to wonder if maybe I have a slight problem. After all, I get sudden cravings during class, I have had no energy since quitting, and I’m quite jittery and easily annoyed. However, I quickly brush that thought aside. I definitely don’t have a problem.