There’s nothing like hot ‘cuppa’ coffee to kick-start a busy day at work or get you through a long day but what happens when someone becomes addicted to it?
If you are consuming excessive amounts of caffeine, whether it is drinking coffee, tea or soft drinks, you might be addicted to it.
Below we shall discuss what caffeine addiction is, what are the signs and symptoms of it and how it can be treated.
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is one of the most widely and popularly used drugs in society today and is the main ingredient found in coffee however it is also found in various teas.
A central nervous system stimulant, caffeine boosts heart rate and awareness when ingested as well as relaxing muscles.
It is estimated that 120,000 tons of caffeine is consumed each and every year, which makes it easy to understand why so many people become addicted to it.
One of the major issues regarding caffeine addiction is that because people don’t consider it to be a ‘real’ addiction, they do not admit to having a problem.
Signs and Symptoms of Caffeine Addiction
A simple to way to spot if you or someone you love is addicted to caffeine is to stop using it.
Ban yourself from using any products that may contain caffeine and see if you suffer from any of the withdrawal symptoms listed below.
Headaches may be suffered and usually occurs between 12 and 24 hours since caffeine was last ingested.
Drowsiness is another withdrawal symptom that can be experienced, which includes feelings of tiredness and sluggishness.
Lack of concentration is another sign to look out for as the individual, which causes the individual to be restless and unable to focus on important duties at work or at home.
Flu-like symptoms may also be felt due to the unavailability of caffeine in the body and may cause nausea and vomiting.
If you suffer or notice a loved one suffering from these symptoms, then it is key that help is sought after.
Caffeine Addiction Treatment
Many people find it difficult to quit using caffeine due to the withdrawal symptoms suffered, there for professional help is needed.
There are various forms of counselling, support groups and therapy available for addicted individuals, which may help in ending the addiction and putting them on the path to recovery,
For more information regarding treatment, please call us now and our accredited addiction counsellors will gladly assist you.