Caffeine Addiction Research Paper

My hands shaking, I exchange my $5 bill for yet another 16 ounce coffee beverage. The drink has taken over my life. My condition could be labeled as a caffeine dependence, but I think it’s purely a coffee addiction. The rush of soda is weak in comparison and leads to a quick burnout, and energy drinks turn me into pure jitters. Coffee, though, is perfect; I’m hooked on the taste and the way it makes me feel. I depend on it to wake me up, to feel good, to truly experience the day. It can make me jittery and increase my anxiety, but I genuinely love coffee and the amount of caffeine it provides. Luckily, I’m not alone with this habit. Caffeine has been named the “most widely consumed mood altering drug in the world,” and coffee is the leading …show more content…
I’ve tried to quit multiple times since then, but it never works out. I experience all of the symptoms typical of caffeine withdrawal— a strong headache, sleepiness, irritability, difficulty with concentration. One time I even felt physically sick. According to a study done by Johns Hopkins University, withdrawal symptoms typically kick in 12- 24 hours after the last caffeine dosage, hit their peak at the 20- 48 hour point, and last about 2 days to a week. I once got to the two week mark, and my headaches and physical uneasiness were gone, but I was still tired and had difficulty functioning and concentrating without coffee. Due to my regular coffee consumption, I’ve developed a tolerance. I started out by only having a cup in the morning when I was truly exhausted, but now I rely on it to feel normal. Its effects on me aren’t as strong anymore, as tends to be the case when the stimulant is used on a daily basis. I have to consume more of it to receive the benefits I want. It has been shown that caffeine is chemically addictive (Stromberg) . Many people don’t even realize how addicted they are to caffeine until they are forced to go without it and experience withdrawal