ADDICTION

I understand addiction. I am an addict. I do not say this with any humor. I have been addicted to Coca Cola since I was a child. I recognize my addictive personality. I am empathetic with people who are addicted to smoking and other addictions which do not harm others.

In 1985, Coca Cola committed what is considered to be one the biggest blunders in the business world by bringing out "New Coke" with plans to retire the original Coke (NOW known as "Classic Coke"). When the announcement was made, I, along with many others, began stockpiling Coca Cola.

To illustrate the extent of my addiction: I was scheduled to go to California for a week on Company business. In my carry-on bag I packed one change of underwear and cosmetics, and in my other luggage--two large bags--I packed ALL Coca Cola, because I was AFRAID I couldn't buy Coca Cola when I arrived there. I knew I could buy ANYTHING else there, but, as my brother said, I was worried about "scoring Coke"! At that time, there was not a store in Washington Court House with any original Coca Cola remaining on its shelves! I had gone to every store which could possibly carry Coca Cola. I had cases of Coca Cola stored in the house and garages, arranged by expiration date!

A furor erupted from other obviously-addicted consumers and after what seemed like an eternity (three months), Coca Cola finally understood the popularity of the original Coke and reversed its plan.

I haven't had a Coke since November 9, 2011. I had been drinking as much as two liters a day. The first thing I would do on Sundays was to check all of the store flyers to see the best buy that week. I had taken to buying the two-liter bottles as it was a better buy! I've lost 27 pounds and NO, I don't feel any better! There's not a day that goes by that I do not want a Coke! I've given up drinking Coke several other times in my life, but it was like Mark Twain quote on giving up smoking: "Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world; I know because I've done it thousands of times."

I gave up Coke for six months one time. Will I be more successful this time? I hope so.

CLICK HERE to read the article: 25 years since Coca-Cola's big blunder.