i liked the saved by the bell post waay back. yes i did see it
as far as the op's questions:
- coffee has actually been proven to be beneficial for health (in moderate amounts, stay within 16-24 oz a day)
- if you are "addicted" and drink 4 lattes a day (8 expressos), then give you body a rest from it...go cold turkey for 2 weeks. either a) you'll quit all together, or b) start up slower after 2 weeks and you body will handle the lower tolerance...and maybe 1 cup or coffee, or 1 latte, or a moderate amount would be sufficient as safe.
- caffeine pills may have the same "effect" as coffee or equiv amount of tea...but think about the form you are puting into your body. the pill will absorb at a different rate than a cup of coffee (depending on the duration of your sips)...plus one is a pill and the other is a liquid. there MAY be side effects, after all cafeine is a drug, not a vitamin or mineral.
- Tea...one of natures most nature herbal remedies for a whole range of illnesses...including drowsiness. tea caffeine is not per se the same as coffees. because not all teas have the same ammount of caffeine. whereas just about all coffee brands now adays have a standard mg of caffeine.
Im indian, so ive naturally been brought up around a lot of tea, and love to drink it myself. I would recommend experimenting with a variety of green, oolong, and black teas. each have a different degree of caffeine in it. not the mention its a whole lot cheaper than cafeine pills or a pound of coffee.
sometimes I add milk to my tea, it brings it a new flavor, and never makes it boring and bland every time.
- Someone mentioned Yoga, this is also an excellent alternative, but being a med student...im sure this is going to be hard to commit to.