[tobornot2b]

caffeine addiction "a mental disorder"

[OR82]

If I had to give up coffee you can bury me now.

[alycat]

I don't know if caffeine is a mental addiction, more of a physical one. Caffeine is actually a form of naturally occuring insecticide. Gross!!! I have been off of caffeine for 3 months now and feel a lot more energy and better overall.

[avlady]

Don't take my coffee away PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

[hamster-bamster]

in 2005 coffee was THE main source of antioxidants in a typical American diet.

might still be

there are many positive things about coffee - Parkinson prevention etc.

coffee and tea have been in use for longer than one can imagine

and that is a disorder???

ridiculous

[Yoda]

also coffee contains methyl xanthines which helps asthma

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Yoda

also coffee contains methyl xanthines which helps asthma

and many other helpful things - the list is really long, if you want to research the subject.

and I was ECSTATIC when I read that adding milk does NOT affect the absorption of the antioxidants from coffee negatively. you still get the antioxidants fine. I cannot drink coffee without milk.

[-jimi-]

ROFL. Tell that to my people. We consume more coffee than anyone on earth. A doc will assume you drink coffee. No one is going to be preachy or take it away.

Now I'm not a coffee drinker but a line has to be drawn somewhere. If it is a mental issue we're all insane here, everyone but me.

[yellowted]

that may account for why there are more out than in!

I personally do not take caffiene in any shape or form, no tea, coffee, coke or chocolate and still have a mental health dx. I do see that the majority of the population does and they enjoy it, which is their personal choice. if they enjoy it and it does not affect anyone else then i see no problem with that.

if some of those who do partake in caffiene end up with a mental health disorder, then so be it, they may have ended up with the same disorder even if they had refrained from partaking in it!

I love me my morning coffee I dont know how in the world I would be able to get to the office in the morning without stopping in to see my favorite baristas, other morning coffee drinking chums and to enjoy my am get up and go. It is the whole package that I enjoy.

These people (lovely) are the first human beings I see and talk to every morning. I tried to save a little money and try the whole cup of coffee at home, alone, before work, but it just isnt nearly as nice.

Plus it is a treat and allows me a little me, pampering time before the grind of 2 hours in traffic and dealing with the drama/ politics/ weirdness at work.

Being with others, they know my name, my drink, chatting a bit...it brings me my first and sometimes only smile of the day. It is about connecting and socializing and enjoying for me. And not being alone.

The added benefit that a cup or two my be good for my health makes it sweeter for me.

I would really miss it if I were to give it up it is something I truly appreciate. Addiction? Ok i can live with it as long as the benefits are there, i am happy and not hurting myself or others.

[Permanent Pajamas]

Caffeine addiction? What caffeine addiction?

[belledisastre]

I'm not sure if I would call caffeine addiction a mental disorder unless it was way out of hand, the caffeine was being abused, and overall the problem was very detrimental to the user's health. I used to live off of caffeine until I got on Lithium. I stay away from caffeine now because if I have too much, it messes with my Lithium levels and makes me depressed again. I used to despise water but now I live with it.

[teafunk]

There hasn't been a class of drugs I haven't abused extensively and judging by this extensive personal experience on one hand and most recently published literature on the other, I am most positive that caffeine fulfills all requirements for causing both physical dependance and mental addiction.

There will actually be a looong list of caffeine abuse related diagnoses in DSM-V, I was quite surprised myself.

The fact that moderate coffee consumption has a lot of positive effects on physical health (and alertness lol) and that it can potentially aid a society to function more efficiently (e.g. decreasing rate of traffic accidents) doesn't cancel out the fact that it is causing addiction and dependence.

Now I'm not saying "No!" to coffee personally and I don't think that there should be any severe restrictions, but be aware that caffeine dependence is a very real (and imho underestimated) phenomenom and that you might not want to expose those who have not yet reached full physical developement. Restrictions for the underaged as there are for alcohol and some public debate would probably lead to a more responsible attitude towards the substance.

On a sidenote, it has most definitely aided in facilitating my first full-blown manic episode and several psychiatrists have specifically asked me if there was any abuse of caffeine aside from other stimulants... There are a large number of genuine articles out there, just search pubmed for caffeine and mania or psychosis.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by teafunk

The fact that moderate coffee consumption has a lot of positive effects on physical health (and alertness lol) and that it can potentially aid a society to function more efficiently (e.g. decreasing rate of traffic accidents) doesn't cancel out the fact that it is causing addiction and dependence.

If that is the case, then caffeine is akin to alcohol, which is beneficial in moderate doses only, and can cause addiction and dependence. Same thing.

[teafunk]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

If that is the case, then caffeine is akin to alcohol, which is beneficial in moderate doses only, and can cause addiction and dependence. Same thing.

Alcohol withdrawals can kill (they lower the seizure threshold) and wreaks social havoc on families. Alcohol abuse kills more people than any other recreational drug out there. Careful with that comparison...

In the most general sense, I'd have to agree in that they both psychoactive substances. It kinda ends there though. Just like both birds and dogs can be kept as pets.

But in terms of health costs, benefits, dangers, I'd put it on a similar level as cannabis. The actual effects closer resemble classical dopaminergic stimulants though, much more so than was believed for a long time.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by teafunk

Alcohol withdrawals can kill (they lower the seizure threshold) and wreaks social havoc on families. Alcohol abuse kills more people than any other recreational drug out there. Careful with that comparison...

In the most general sense, I'd have to agree in that they both psychoactive substances. It kinda ends there though. Just like both birds and dogs can be kept as pets.

But in terms of health costs, benefits, dangers, I'd put it on a similar level as cannabis. The actual effects closer resemble classical dopaminergic stimulants though, much more so than was believed for a long time.

The curve for alcohol is U-shaped. In other words, the benefits peak at the non-zero level of consumption. This has nothing to do with abuse or withdrawal. It is just a well known fact. So I was thinking that the curve for coffee has a similar shape - that is all.

[hamster-bamster]

A non zero level, sorry.

[avlady]

I LOVE my coffee, I need alot because I'm on meds that make me tired, but once i have my first 2 cups in the morning i'm ready to go. I do have to continue drinking it throughout the day for keeping awake, but i would rather be addicted to it than any other drug that would keep me awake.