Caffeine Use Disorder: This Widespread Health Problem Needs More Attention
“I’m a zombie without my morning coffee.” “My blood type is Diet Coke.” “Caffeine isn’t a drug, it’s a vitamin.” Most people make jokes like these about needing a daily boost from their favorite caffeinated beverage—whether first thing in the morning or to prevent the after-lunch slump.
But a recent study coauthored by American University psychology professor Laura Juliano indicates that more people are dependent on caffeine to the point that they suffer withdrawal symptoms and are unable to reduce caffeine consumption even if they have another condition that may be impacted by caffeine—such as a pregnancy, a heart condition, or a bleeding disorder.
These symptoms combined are a condition called “Caffeine Use Disorder.” And according to the study Juliano coauthored, even though caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world—and is found in everything from coffee, tea, and soda, to OTC pain relievers, chocolate, and now a whole host of food and beverage products branded with some form of the word “energy”—health professionals have been slow to characterize problematic caffeine use and acknowledge that some cases may call for treatment.
“The negative effects of caffeine are often not recognized as such because it is a socially acceptable and widely consumed drug that is well integrated into our customs and routines,” Juliano said. “And while many people can consume caffeine without harm, for some it produces negative effects, physical dependence, interferes with daily functioning, and can be difficult to give up, which are signs of problematic use.”
“Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda,” which Juliano coauthored with Steven Meredith and Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and John Hughes from the University of Vermont, published last fall in the Journal of Caffeine Research.
Grounds for More Research
The study summarizes the results of previously published caffeine research to present the biological evidence for caffeine dependence, data that shows how widespread dependence is, and the significant physical and psychological symptoms experienced by habitual caffeine users. Juliano and her coauthors also address the diagnostic criteria for Caffeine Use Disorder and outline an agenda to help direct future caffeine dependence research.
In so far as heeding the call for more research, the scientific community is beginning to wake up and smell the coffee. Last spring, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized Caffeine Use Disorder as a health concern in need of additional research in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders—the standard classification of mental disorders, now in its fifth edition (DSM-5), used by mental health professionals in the United States.
“There is misconception among professionals and lay people alike that caffeine is not difficult to give up. However, in population-based studies, more than 50 percent of regular caffeine consumers report that they have had difficulty quitting or reducing caffeine use,” said Juliano, who served as an appointed advisor to the DSM-5 Substance Use Disorders work group and helped outline the symptoms for the Caffeine Use Disorder inclusion.
“Furthermore, genetics research may help us to better understand the effects of caffeine on health and pregnancy as well as individual differences in caffeine consumption and sensitivity,” she added.
A Lack of Labelling
Based on current research, Juliano advises that healthy adults should limit caffeine consumption to no more than 400 mg per day—the equivalent of about two to three 8-oz cups of coffee. Pregnant women should consume less than 200 mg per day and people who regularly experience anxiety or insomnia—as well as those with high blood pressure, heart problems, or urinary incontinence—should also limit caffeine.
But limiting one’s caffeine intake is often easier said than done as most people don’t know how much caffeine they consume daily.
“At this time, manufacturers are not required to label caffeine amounts and some products such as energy drinks do not have regulated limits on caffeine,” Juliano said, adding that if this changed, people could perhaps better limit their consumption and ideally, avoid caffeine’s possible negative effects.
But in a nation where a stop at Starbucks is a daily ritual for many people, is there really a market for caffeine cessation? Juliano says yes.
“Through our research, we have observed that people who have been unable to quit or cut back on caffeine on their own would be interested in receiving formal treatment—similar to the outside assistance people can turn to if they want to quit smoking or tobacco use.”
Contacts and sources:
Rebecca Basu
American University
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people who have this disorder should have their guns taken away immediately ..damn javaheads..
Oh here we go, another disorder for the big pharma coompanies to market a poison pill for.
Hell, I drink coffee and as my relatives would say by the gallon not the cup. I choose to drink coffee like I choose to drink booze. and eat all the tasty junk out there.
If you go by all the studies that all the egg head scientist and researchers come out with we would all starve as everything we eat and drink is no good for you. I guess that only leaves the air we breath and they even say that is no good to breath as it’s polluted.
We can’t win and all I can say is, “Use your imagination”.
How about “Contaminated Water Disorder”- hydrofluorosilicic acid (flouride) and chlorine (dioxin)
induced poisoning
Or
“Artificial Sweetener CNS (Central Nervous System) Disorder – GMO sweet n low, Splenda, Nutrisweet, sucralose induced poisoning
Or
” Styrene Induced Disorder” – styrofoam cup induced poisoning every time you put a hot beverage in a styrofoam cup!
Or
“GMO Soy Disorder” -hemaglutinin soy induced blood clot/blood thickening poisoning.
Or
“Pus Milk Disorder”- from multiple superbug non organic multiple pharmaceutical and vaccine contaminant poisoned dairy products.
Anonymous, that could not have been put any better! I’m sure you could have spent hours adding to that list. While the “all knowing oligarchy” claims to be looking out for our health and safety, they’ve sold it under the guise they know what’s best for us. When in truth they only know what benefits their bottom line. At present, the only option left is to “PICK YOUR POISON”.
How about recent study induced disorder?
Oh, yay, another “disorder” we can all get diagnosed with and medicated for!
I can’t wait for “water dependency disorder” to make it on the books!
Grounds for more research? Very good. Very good, indeed.
I am so tired of these ‘studies’. I don’t need someone telling me how to live. Just wait a month or so, there will be a new study saying the complete opposite. People can make their own decisions about what they consume. It’s called common sense. Who do they think they are anyway? This has become a country of elite busybodies.
You can have my coffee cup when you pry it from my cold, dead hands,
People have been saying for years that caffine is a drug no different that tobacco or alcohol. However, right now it’s legal- the establishment NEEDS us hopped up on something to keep us working (and not thinking!). The equivalent was years ago when black dock workers were given cocaine to keep them working. It backfired when they “got uppity” and fought back against the oppression. Since then the establishment has done its utmost to destroy the black community- almost as a warning to other communities (don’t fight back or you’ll get crushed like they did!!) And if the establishment is going to be giving us drugs, they want it to be under their supervision- and that’s why they run the drug trade so tightly. Work yourself to death, but step out of line and they’ll crush you like a bug!
Obama and his Democrats are now coming after a coffee shop near you! Booo!
Black coffee before a work out makes for a better more intense one with better results at the gym.
With coffee I can skip lunch and keep working, from what I observe, it is the non coffee drinkers who are always at the snack machine and taking breaks getting nothing done throughout the day.
It is the coffee drinkers that do a bulk of the work.
This is another attempt by Obama liberals to destroy the most productive country in the history of the world.
3rd world countries don’t drink coffee, I’ll bet there is a link there these researchers did not want to look at.
Same old BS America is bad, Russia and Chinese slavery is good, as long as the other guy is the slave.
A ‘report’ from a non-M.D. type doctor, and you want me to believe that???
Last month, a group said that coffee was ok.
I am a retired journalist, and a milvet. I drink both tea AND coffee, but not together, please.
woop di freeking do