Coffee is a common drink for American adults, half of whom drink it every day according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Americans drink an average of 3.1 cups per day. Coffee itself is not addictive; caffeine is the ingredient in coffee that may cause dependency for people who drink too much.
Caffeine in Coffee
Whether or not someone shows signs or symptoms of caffeine dependency or addiction depends upon the amount of coffee she drinks over a specific time period. The International Coffee Organization, ICO, states that amounts of caffeine vary. Instant coffee contains less caffeine, while "robusta" contains twice as much as the "arabicas" coffees. For one 5-oz. cup of coffee, the caffeine content is for espresso about 150 mg, for roast or ground about 115 mg, for percolated about 80 mg, and for instant about 65 mg, on average. Decaffeinated coffee may contain about 3 mg of caffeine. The ICO considers someone a "high" caffeine user if he drinks more than 400 mg per day.
Caffeine Intoxication and Addiction
Disagreement remains about whether caffeine problems are an addiction or not. The "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," DSM, includes caffeine intoxication but does not include caffeine dependency, the word it uses for addiction. Other medical professionals both recognize caffeine intoxication and regard caffeine overuse as an addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Caffeine Intoxication
According to the DSM, caffeine intoxication occurs when a substance is ingested with effects that are reversible when the substance leaves the body. The substance must impair behavior and mood, and more than 250 mg of coffee must be ingested. During or shortly after caffeine ingestion, five of the following must be present: restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, frequent urination, digestive tract problems, twitching muscles, rambling thoughts or speaking, heart rhythm irregularity, not becoming fatigued, and agitated movement. These symptoms must cause distress. Symptoms that may also occur are nausea, headache, electrolyte problems, tremors and seizures. In extreme cases, caffeine intoxication may be life-threatening.
Signs and Symptoms of Caffeine Addiction and Withdrawal
The argument that caffeine is addictive is based upon evidence that a person may become dependent upon caffeine, may reach tolerance, and may experience withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped. Tolerance means that the person needs more and more caffeine to induce the desired effect. Withdrawal symptoms may begin within 12 to 24 hours after stopping caffeine, often beginning with a headache. Other symptoms include irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression, muscle aches or stiffness, and decreased ability to perform thinking tasks. Withdrawal tends to peak at about 20 to 48 hours and may last from two days to a week. Caffeine should be reduced gradually in order to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
References
- Harvard School of Public Health: Coffee by the Numbers; 2010
- "Journal for Nurse Practicioners"; Caffeine Intoxication and Addiction; Holly Pohler; January 2010
- International Coffee Organization: Caffeine; 2010
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., Text Revision"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
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