Coffee Addiction Symptoms

The main chemical substance found in popular beverages like coffee and tea is caffeine, which is an alkaloid naturally found in the leaves of tea, coffee beans, guarrana berries, kola nuts and certain other plants. Caffeine is basically a psychoactive drug that stimulates the central nervous system to keep the brain alert, and to combat fatigue and sleepiness. This is the reason why caffeinated beverages are used by a large section of the population, just to ward off tiredness and the feeling of exhaustion.

It is quite natural to experience a burst of energy and increased mental alertness after consuming a cup of coffee, as caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and the secretion of adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline and cortisol are the hormones responsible for triggering the 'fight or flight mechanism' in the body, for which we experience a sudden burst of energy. However, the effect lasts only for a while and is then replaced by drowsiness and a drop in the level of energy. This induces many to drink more coffee, and the result is caffeine overdose. Using coffee for a prolonged time period to stay mentally alert and active can lead to addiction over a period of time, and addiction can giver rise to a number of annoying coffee addiction symptoms, which are discussed below.

What is Coffee Addiction?

Coffee addiction or an abnormal dependence on coffee, just to feel good can be experienced by the individuals who drink coffee daily. Addicted individuals usually feel a strong craving or urge to drink coffee, once it is discontinued. Additionally, they can experience the caffeine withdrawal symptoms, if consumption of coffee is discontinued all of a sudden. Such withdrawal symptoms can include, severe headache irritability, exhaustion, mood swings, concentration problems, muscle pain and drowsiness. Such symptoms can be observed within 12 to 24 hours from the time, the last cup of coffee was taken.

One of the most interesting coffee addiction facts is, increased tolerance to the substance. This is exactly what happens when one gets addicted to other psychoactive substances or drugs, as well as alcohol. Increased tolerance means that more and more of the substance will be required, just to create the same effect on the body and mind. In other words, if earlier a single cup of coffee was sufficient to stay awake and mentally alert, now it can take more than a cup to produce the same effect.

Coffee Addiction Symptoms

The presence of withdrawal symptoms is the first sign that a person is addicted to coffee. In general, one can observe the following coffee addiction signs when the beverage is withdrawn suddenly.

    * Unusual craving or longing for coffee
    * Severe headache
    * Depressed mood
    * Irritability
    * Fatigue
    * Drowsiness
    * Inability to concentrate and think clearly
    * Anxiety
    * Heartburn
    * Sleep disturbances
    * Muscle aches

These coffee addiction withdrawal symptoms usually disappear, and the affected person feels better after drinking a cup of coffee, which simply points to the fact the person has developed dependency on coffee. Know more about the side effects of caffeine.

However, one good news about coffee addiction is that, coffee or caffeine is comparatively easier to quit than other drugs and alcohol. Even the withdrawal symptoms are easier to manage than the withdrawal symptoms experienced in case of addiction to alcohol and other psychoactive drugs. The most important point is to adopt a gradual approach which can help to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. While withdrawing coffee, one needs to drink plenty of water, follow a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. If caffeine or coffee addiction is not treated on time, then it can adversely affect the cardiovascular and the nervous system, along with the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is quite important to recognize the coffee addiction symptoms, and understand the adverse effects of taking excessive coffee and caffeinated beverages.