Is Caffeine Addicting?
You pour a cup of warm joe as the sun rises. 2:16 pm strikes. You head towards your coffee maker, local Dunkin’ Donuts or fancy Starbucks to gobble down another dose of stimulating caffeine. The large hand lands on 6:21 pm. You start scratching your head wondering if it has been a long day. Some people say no, while others say yes and head for their third cup of fix.
Your pattern of caffeine consumption persists seven days a week. You rationalize that this can’t be a drug, “I don’t get high on it!” But you feel as if you are driven by a motor; like a small annoying boy with a diagnosis of ADHD. The difference being that you are able to control yourself.
You start inquiring on how many cups of joe other people are having. Some say six while others say nil. You’re smack in the middle: three big juicy hot cups of columbian grade coffee. But you feel guilty. You know deep inside that on some days that number has increased to five, maybe six. You don’t know what to do.
Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system; this is why you feel your concentration spike while on it. Regular use of caffeine can cause a mild physical dependence. If you stop consuming it abruptly, you may develop symptoms of withdrawal which can last for a day or two:
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depressed mood
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
Because you will never experience harmful drug-seeking behavior or withdrawal, and it will never affect your physical, social or economic health, most experts don’t consider caffeine dependence a serious addiction to be concerned about. It is helpful to remind yourself that almost everything is best enjoyed in moderation!
Are you Ready? (This is Defeating Stigma Mindfully)
DSM (Defeating Stigma Mindfully) 