Caffeine Addiction

In our fast-paced society, caffeine addiction is a growing problem. Did you know that 87 percent of adults and 76 percent of children regularly consume caffeine in their diets? Caffeine may give you the extra energy to manage your hectic schedule, but caffeine addiction can contribute to many health problems. People who consume excessive amounts of caffeine on a regular basis suffer from an increase in tolerance, physical cravings, and withdrawal symptoms.

Effects of Caffeine

Caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system. It increases the stress hormones in your blood stream, causing you to temporarily feel more alert. While there’s no real harm in having a single cup of coffee, many people become trapped in a vicious cycle of caffeine addiction. They become dependant on caffeine to stay alert during the day and find it hard to relax at night because of their excessive caffeine consumption. Then, they must consume even more caffeine the following day to compensate for their lack of rest.

Caffeine reaches your bloodstream within about 30-45 minutes. It increases your body’s dopamine levels in the same way that heroine, cocaine, and amphetamines do. Caffeine also binds to adenosine receptors and leads to increased neuron firing in the brain

While caffeine does result in increased alertness, it has been linked to high blood pressure, insomnia, tremors, rapid breathing, headaches, dizziness, and a loss of fine motor control. Because of the potential risk to the fetus, pregnant women are advised to limit their caffeine intake.

Signs of Caffeine Addiction

How do you know if you suffer from caffeine addiction? There’s no easy way to answer this question, but there are a few signs that may indicate a problem. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you frequently feel fatigued throughout the day? Do you rely on caffeine to maintain your energy level?
• Do you find it difficult to concentrate without a cup of coffee or your favorite soft drink?
• Do you suffer from severe mood swings or PMS?
• Do you have frequent headaches, severe heartburn, or high blood pressure?
• Do you often feel dizzy?
• Is it difficult for you to fall asleep at night? Do you often wake up feeling exhausted?

Breaking the Habit

While some people can successfully quite caffeine “cold turkey,” most have better luck with a less drastic approach. Gradually reducing your caffeine intake will reduce the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. You may try eliminating one cup of coffee per week. If this proves too difficult, you may try to substitute a beverage with less caffeine for your usual choice. For example, a 12-ounce can of Mountain Dew has 52 milligrams of caffeine while a 12-ounce can of Dr. Pepper has only 38 milligrams per serving.

Tracking your daily caffeine consumption may help you break your caffeine addiction. However, remember that caffeine is not just found in coffee and caffeinated soft drinks. For example, chocolate, tea, and some weight-control pills also contain caffeine. Click here to learn which foods and beverages contain caffeine.

If you’re trying to recover from caffeine addiction, enlisting the help of a supportive friend or family member may increase your odds of success. He/she can provide encouragement and help you discover strategies to reach your goal.

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