I'm from a household in which morning cups of coffee is the most sacred ritual on the planet. Coffee's nectar of the gods, if you will. If my parents don't have at least one cup of coffee in the morning they spend their days wallowing in regret, filled with migraines and bad attitudes. Me, on the other hand, well, I think coffee tastes like asphalt with a sprinkle of tar. As I've grown older, my disdain for coffee has not disappeared, but has merely evolved. I'm a college student and caffeine is an extremely valuable resource. I grin and bear the taste of it just so I don’t fall asleep face first on my laptop like I did one time in the library freshman year. Waking up with the QWERTY keys imprinted on your face is never a good look.

So as a college student, I took the plunge into caffeine. More specifically, I took the plunge into Dunkin Donuts. It is my shining north star and I will follow it to the ends of the earth.

Here are ten signs that you have a dangerous relationship with Dunkin:

1. Your whole day revolves around a Dunkin stop.

Everyday Tuesday night I have a three-hour clinical psychology class and the only thing that gets me up and out of the house on time is knowing that I'll roll up to campus with a light and sweet coffee in hand. It makes me feel like a hot goddess who is entering battle against her spineless ex-lover. Well, maybe not. But it does keep me awake and alert for three hours straight. If I don't go to Dunkin before this class, my equilibrium is thrown off and the rest of my week feels off balance.

2. Your most valued app is DD perks.

DD perks is essentially an electronic gift card that rewards you for spending money on coffee. It's a big capitalist scheme and we are all just a product of a world of consumption, but come on, it's Dunkin and there are PERKS. You wouldn't be caught dead without this app. Don't have it? I suggest you download it now adn you're entire life will change.

3. You're on a first name basis with the employees.

I frequent the Dunkin in my hometown as well as the Dunkin down the street from school. Both of which I know the employees pretty well. Raj was my usual barista for a while until he moved back to India with his family. Now Kironta manages the place and we've become Facebook friends. Things are getting pretty serious. Kironta, if you're reading this, you're the real MVP.

4. You risk being late just to stop at Dunkin.

Lateness is one of my pet peeves, but when it comes to Dunkin the rules need to be broken. If I have class at 3:30 and it's 3:17 I will still speed over there just to grab a coffee, even if it means I'll run in a few minutes late. I don't know if this is an addiction or just pure dedication, but whatever it is I refuse to stop it. No such thing as running late, just running latte. Zing!

5. You have a "usual."

Everyone has that one place that when you walk in you know that your order will be perfect and given to you right away because you're such a dedicated customer. For me, that's Dunkin. I walk in and they're already putting my order into the cash register. Medium hazelnut iced coffee light and sweet. Makes me feel at home. One time I felt so comfortable and at home that I lovingly said, "Thanks mom" to the employee who handed me my drink in the drive thru line. Am I dedicated? Yes. Pathetic? Absolutely. Regretful? Never.

6. Family members always give you Dunkin gift cards on holidays.

It's inevitable. They make great stocking stuffers and they're super easy to purchase. Not to mention they're used almost on a regular basis. At the beginning of the semester my mom gave me a $25 Dunkin gift card and I'm pretty sure I was through with it by the end of two weeks. To all my potential suitors, wherever you are, please stop hiding. Oh, and get me a Dunkin gift card, it's got commitment written all over it,

7. Dunkin just makes your day better.

Let's be honest, we've all got that one thing that we're addicted to. Whether it's reality TV, Taco Bell at 2 a.m., or a daily cup of Dunkin coffee, we're all allowed to indulge. Sometimes that one cup of joe makes all the difference in the world and a day without it seems like a day of darkness.