Caffeine Withdrawal – Now in the DSM-5

In Australia cafes have sprung up just about everywhere, becoming places to catch up with family, friends and work colleagues over a cup of coffee. We consume it regularly, particularly in the mornings as an energiser for the work day ahead.

Energy drinks, soft drinks, brewed tea and even chocolate can contain large quantities of caffeine. According to Drug Info Australia, “Caffeine is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and the body.”

Caffeine can cause us to feel either good or bad depending on how it affects the individual. Taken into consideration is the amount consumed, their size, weight and health, if the person is accustomed to drinking it or not and if other drugs are taken at the same time. For some, the effects after consuming caffeine can begin as fast as 5 minutes to half an hour and lasting for as long as 12 hours.

Caffeine affects each one of us differently. These effects can either cause us to feel more alert, more active; our heart rate can increase, we may begin to breathe faster, have raised body temperature, we can experience stomach aches, have headaches, urinate more frequently and become dehydrated. We may also begin to feel restless, experience anxiety and irritability. Others may feel dizzy or simply excitable. After consuming large quantities of caffeine based products a person may feel tired or lethargic the next day as a common side-effect.

Can coffee be addictive?

Long term effects can create dependence on caffeine as the person may need more of it to gain the same effect. More than four cups of coffee a day is considered heavy use of caffeine.

Long term heavy users may experience and develop certain conditions such as anxiety and depression, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, insomnia, heartburn and reflux, heart disease and infertility.

Overdosing on coffee is also possible with symptoms like…

• Confusion
• Seizures
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tremors
• Extremely fast and irregular heart beat

Caffeine Withdrawal

Caffeine withdrawal comes about when a person who has been using it for a long time tries to quit consuming it. Withdrawal indications as a rule can begin inside 24 hours after the last dose. For some consumers the symptoms can commence side of 6 hours for those individuals who devour a considerable measure of caffeine frequently. The manifestations can keep going for around 36 hours, or much more for individuals who consume a great deal of coffee or coffee based products for prolonged periods of time.

Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal are…

• Tiredness
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Muscle pain
• Tension and anxiety

The DSM-5 explains that the most common symptom of caffeine withdrawal is a throbbing headache sensitive to movement lasting for as long as three weeks. Fatigue, changes in mood, depression and anxiety and difficulty concentrating are also common and can happen without a headache being present. Caffeine cravings are also common and an increase in appetite. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms with aches, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms can disappear once the caffeine consumption is taken up again.

Read aifc’s blog on ‘Taking A Closer Look at Addiction.‘

Sources

Drug Info – Caffeine
Caffeine withdrawal Theravive.com

Where to get help

If you are experiencing caffeine withdrawal symptoms talk to your local doctor.

Search for a counsellor near you
Men’s Line Australia – Talk it over with someone who understands – 1300 78 99 78
Lifeline – A free 24 hour Crisis Counselling service – 13 11 14
Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800