Caffeine use disorder

Australians and Coffee

Caffeine is the most commonly used substance in the world. It is in coffee, teas, soft drinks, sports drinks and many more. Average Australian consumes 250mg of caffeine or drinks 2 ¾ cups of coffee a day. However, People taking in large amounts of caffeine can become dependent on it. Struggle to reduce their use, despite awareness of the negative health effects of high use. In addition, caffeine use disorder is a World Health Organization, ICD-10 recognized condition. Caffeine use is something increasing numbers of Australian health practitioners are asking their clients about.

Positive effects of caffeine

However, we all take caffeine in one form or another. Caffeine is a boost. Low to moderate use has people reporting alertness, sociability, and increased well being. There is a sense of boosting, people who use caffeine are more likely to use it again. This is further increased by caffeine being paired with various flavours which the user enjoys.

The downside to regular high caffeine use

However, for the vast majority of people, their caffeine or coffee intake is not going to have negative effects. However, for some, especially those at risk for instance those already with heart, stomach or bladder issues coffee can make things worse.

Caffeine withdrawal

Caffeine stop is a well-documented syndrome or happening. Hence, Caffeine Use Disorder follows after a period of use and a future quick stop.

Common symptoms include:

Caffeine tolerance?

Caffeine tolerance develops after repeated use of caffeine; the same dose of caffeine produces less in terms of behavioural or psychological effects. Moreover, tolerance is unlikely to hap at low doses, which is what many people take on a daily basis.

Diagnosing caffeine use disorder

In the same vein, caffeine use disorder is a diagnosable condition. However given the popularity of caffeine, it’s important to get the diagnosis right. For the vast majority of us, our coffee consumption If someone is dependent on a drug they have a strong desire to take it, difficulty controlling their use, require more to get the same effect and trouble stopping it. Certainly, as you start your day wanting a cup of coffee is different to having a strong urge for coffee on waking. That is to say, struggling to limit your caffeine intake or need; larger or stronger coffees to get you by might be another sign of dependency. Your therapist might ask about failed attempts to stop your caffeine intake or continued use of caffeine despite being advised to stop. They will want to know details about your fluid use. Issues with other substance dependencies and urge to control. Expect your therapist to also want to know about your general diet and mental health. Certainly, your doctor or therapist might ask you to fill out a questionnaire. Sometimes what we feel are the effects of caffeine could be due to a health condition. For example, an overactive thyroid gland. Your doctor might ask you to take some blood tests done.

Caffeine during pregnancy

The general advice during pregnancy is to reduce caffeine use. Some experts recommend stopping it altogether. Studies have shown that heavy caffeine use during pregnancy is linked to the risk of miscarriages and reduce the baby’s growth. Despite the advice from experts some women continue to use large amounts of caffeine. Often they would say withdrawal headaches, cravings or nervousness stopped them. There is also functional damage. Some women complain of struggling to cope, keep up at work or with household activities without caffeine.

Managing caffeine dependence

It starts with education and understanding. The more aware you are about caffeine, how this affects you, and your relationship with your body and current priorities; the better able you are to address your caffeine use. It is a choice to address caffeine use. If the goal is to reduce usage, it starts with understanding how much coffee you are taking now. Food and drink diaries can be helpful here.

Psychologists

Seeing a psychologist to address caffeine dependence is an option. They can provide you with a step by step guide and self-help resources. They can also provide you with strategies or tools to overcome cravings. ‘Caffeine fading’ a strategy to reduce caffeine consumption over time. Research suggests that it is an effective technique for people committed to gradually decreasing their use. Reward strategies, changes to morning dietary routines with the inclusion of exercise can also help. Psychologists can provide strategies here as well around structuring your day, goal setting and rewards. Social commitments, family routines can make giving up coffee hard. For instance, if you catch up with your friends every Saturday morning for breakfast and coffees; you will need to think about drink substitution and how you’d broach the change with your friends.

Stopping Relapse

Stopping yourself from entering back onto the slippery slide of caffeine consumption should be a long term goal. Here your therapist can help teach strategies to prevent relapse. At Epsychiatry we know that giving up habits is hard. Often Caffeine Use Disorder is a long term commitment and slip-ups are likely. We believe that with the help of trained clinicians and psychologists you can learn ways to overcome reliance on caffeine. Contact our friendly support team to book an appointment. You can reach us via email, phone, webchat or social media.