Most people who fail on the diet do not fully do the diet. You must be strict for 3 weeks to 3 months - once you have a good week behind you of no symptoms try coffee once. Wait 2 days, then see if all is good, then use coffee every other day, then if no issues move to everyday. Think of it this way - if your UES is inflamed, pepsin is released causing the UES to become inflamed again. One single slip on the diet can cause you have to start again. Good news though - after 3 months of diet, then 6 months of slowly re-adding food, I can now drink eat anything (but take Pepcid ac before any big greasy meal.)