Many of us consume caffeine on a daily basis. Whether it's in the form of
coffee, tea or soda, it is a substance that gives us energy and gets us through
our everyday lives. What we usually do not think about is that caffeine can be
addictive just like many other external, illicit chemical compounds.
When we think of addictions we usually think of things like alcohol, cocaine,
heroin and methamphetamine. Caffeine almost never crosses our minds. Yet if we
take a closer look we can see that the chronic intake of caffeine exhibits the
same characteristics as many of the drugs previously mentioned. We will take a
closer look at five different parameters that would make one categorize caffeine
as a possible addiction:
1) The effects of caffeine on the nervous system
2) Dependence
3) Tolerance
4)
Withdrawal symptoms
5) The need for treatment
Caffeine is a stimulant that acts on the nervous system. It provides the user
with a "high" or a "rush" that is often seen with other stimulants. Constant use
of the substance can make one's body dependent on the compound. Many of us have
often complained that we can not get through the morning without a coffee or we
need a soda to get rid of the headache. This is the classic definition of
dependence and what we are often feeling are withdrawal symptoms. It is also
believed that caffeine alters receptors in the brain which leads to tolerance.
This simply states that the more you use, the more you need to feel that "buzz"
or "rush".
As mentioned before, most don't consider caffeine in the category as other
illicit drugs. Many do not feel there is a danger as seen with cocaine, meth,
etc. Although, there are situations that can call for treatment. This is when
the user's withdrawal symptoms have gotten to the point that they are
intolerable without intake of caffeine. Treatment can be provided in the form of
counseling and 12 step programs.
Caffeine's ability to alter the nervous system, build dependence and
tolerance as well as exude withdrawal symptoms makes us believe that an
addiction can definitely be formed to this socially accepted
substance.
