As someone who doesn’t consume caffeine, this sounds a lot like addiction. You can keep the ritual and ditch the caffeine by drinking decaf if you want.
A long time ago, I cut out the addictions that were causing negative effects for me (mainly weed and tobacco). I kept caffeine around since I can get wired and still do my job, and it's not overtly unhealthy.
An addiction isn't something inherently bad. Everyone's addicted to something or another. But how many addictions synergize with one's performance at work?
I had to ditch coffee because of anxiety. So glad I did. But if you're sleeping well and don't feel like you have an issue with anxiety, then lucky you.
I don’t get this sentiment.
What if it was a truly addictive, habit-forming, tolerance-building drug consumed on a habitual basis without ever allowing a full day, week, month, or year of detoxification to occur, regardless of its toxic properties?
Does that sound more like addiction?
That really widens the basket.
In a case like this I tend to focus on toxiciity alone, whether it is apparent or not, that is one of the known things that can creep up on you and do irreparable damage.