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I was thinking in the shower this morning. I do that alot actually. I will get to musing on some significant nugget, and the next thing I realize is that I’ve been rinsing my right armpit for 4 or 5 minutes, the soap on my face is dry, and I am late for work.

Anyway, this morning I was thinking about substance abuses and habits. I have a few young friends who are starting smoking or starting binge drinking, or simply drinking under age. Just from observation, the number one factor I’ve seen in establishing abusive habits, is the beginning of those habits too early in life.

I drink now. That is, as an adult, I consume alcohol. But it is not a habit for me, and I do not drink destructively. Because I waited until I was 21 before I started. Yes, I had tasted alcohol as a juvenile. But this was limited to teaspoons full or whatever. And rare.

These young friends of mine are getting into drinking or smoking because they think its cool, or because it feels good doing it. One of them even told me “I know smoking is nasty, but when I get around [these particular] friends, I just cant help it.”

And so I was thinking, what did I get addicted to? I am addicted to bike riding. To computers. To outdoor rec. And to Pepsi.

When I was able to drive, I wasn’t allowed to just “go driving”, so I had to have a reason. The reason of choice was to run down to the Kwik Shop and get soda. I developed a pop habit in my youth which I carry with me now into adulthood. Moreover, its not just pop, but its the association with freedom. Now, when I get out and about on a Saturday morning, my first goal is often to “get a pepsi”. And, it relaxes me when I am under stress – I associate drinking it with having some element of control.

Now, granted, I’m not the popaholic that I may make that sound like. The reason is: I am aware of those motivations, and thus am able to exercise choice in deciding to do them. It is still my preferred drink, over water, but I am just as likely to drink any other water-alternative, as long as it is tasty.

Still, I drink more than many people do, and I can attribute that back to an addiction that was formed in my teens.

I don’t know where I’m going with this: I just wish my friends would stop abusing those substances.