"Beating an addiction is a question of mind over matter. Sometimes matter wins. And sometimes the mind loses."
Having given up (mostly) soft drinks as part of my attempt to get better, I was intrigued by the plot line of an episode of the CBC sitcom "Men with Brooms." However, watching the episode proved to be the most difficult task.
I wrote about this originally in October, and later got a chance to watch the episode.
The plot line revolves around Gary, Matt, and April and their quest to give up diet soda pop. One humorous exchange with Gary and Matt has Matt talking about how he puts diet pop in his cereal. Gary offers up a bet, joking that the winner gets a pop.
(Canadian sitcoms are a lot more subtle. Jokes and laugh tracks aren't as big a part of the scene as American sitcoms. The humor lies in the situations.)
April and Matt start in on the competition, seeing how long each of them can go without pop. Gary doesn't, at least, initially.
Both April and Matt are impressed after awhile of the changes as a result of giving up their liquid treats. They smell better (with their noses) and their fingernails are less brittle. Sure they are on edge, but they find success.
Gary eventually quits diet pop, too, and ends up being the first to give in. Eventually, April gives in as well. Matt ends up being the winner.
The writers/producers treated the situation with class and humor that didn't denigrate anybody. The problems were enhanced but fairly realistic.
The quote at the top of the page is the voice of the narrator as the episode ends. Addictions are difficult, especially since food and drink are all around and we have to partake on a daily basis.
I haven't given up soft drinks completely, but I do feel like I am in control of the circumstances. I certainly remember a time when soft drinks controlled me.
Reducing the need or desire is the first important step. If you are drinking 120 oz. of soft drinks per week, drink 60 oz. or 45 oz. Your body has a better chance if you can do it cold turkey, but the important thing is that you do it the way you can best handle it.
As we learned recently, nearly 40% of the total calories consumed by 2-18 year olds are in the form of empty calories, according to the National Institutes of Health. Even if you are drinking diet pop, the perceived sweetness might be affecting your overall food intake.
There is hope that addictions can be cured, or at least diminished or tempered. And if handled properly, the subject can even be part of a sitcom.
"Men with Brooms" airs Monday nights on the CBC in Canada. I ended up accessing CBC.ca while on that side of the border. There may be other ways to watch the episode, but I don't have first-hand knowledge.
screen capture via cbc.ca
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