I have my favourite mug, with decaf in it right now I am fussy about the brand and buy nice ground decaffeinated ( except when you may have seen my earlier post, when I am abroad and get seduced by doctored decaf, I'm still LOL)

I started the steps with NO intention of giving up my strong black coffee, I was thoroughly addicted to it. I had tried many times to stop it cold turkey and it was just awful, I yearned for it. Sometimes I gave up for six months or so but always drifted back. I saw it as a support, really.

I was going to do the steps WITH caffeine, and that was that. I had already 'given up' sugar and white things by myself and nothing was making me give up my caffeine, it was part of my white - knuckling through things and willpower-harness.

Funny thing happened. With my second go, (ie: not rushing more mindful) through the steps, with step six I started " going off" my beloved coffee. I just didn't fancy it as much Started drinking less, all by itself.

after a while, I thought well I will have a go at a taper. ( wow ! progress!! Not throwing myself at something LOL) and it was so simple, I didn't even notice. The steps and the food supported it. I'm not that sure it would have worked for me, earlier, spider or no, I needed the stabilisation first and the caffeine detox was my step six thing. The choosing of the nice ground freetrade was a big factor, because it was nice and I'm worth it

and that was about ten, eleven years ago I guess. I still have my decaf because me and my journal are happy with it. No yearning, not even a nostalgic pang.

there have been a couple of times I have had ordinary coffee by mistake, forgetting to say 'decaf' in Costa....... can tell straight away and chose to drink it anyway, but wow, the effects. Racing heart, no sleep. One cup and it used to be ten or so. Phew!

NB: coffee shake is really nice too....... I used to choose decaf, shake, greek yogurt, oats walnuts....... really unsweet though as ironically I don't like sweet things so if anyone tried it you might have to add something in

you'll have to let us know what you decide Its one of those things I find really fascinating.