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Should I worry about caffeine addiction?

Caffeine addiction is not as serious as most drug addictions; it is certainly less serious than nicotine addiction. It is also easier to shake than most other addictions. Still, caffeine addiction can be serious for some people. Since its effects are subtle and socially accepted, caffeine addiction can be an unnoticed and difficult to diagnose source of health problems.

One important side effect (and a frequent cause of medical advice to limit or stop caffeine use) is sleep disruption. Many other unwanted effects are associated not so much with use as with withdrawal. Prominent among these effects is the withdrawal headache, caused by dilation of blood vessels in the head that had been constricted by the consumption of caffeine. Other side effects of withdrawal, usually found in frequent and heavy users of caffeine, are lethargy, irritability, and constipation.

Addiction to tea is less common than addiction to coffee, because tea has less caffeine than coffee. But if you drink enough tea on a regular basis, you can become addicted. The most reliable sign that you are addicted to tea is a recurring headache that seems to have no cause and can be relieved by drinking tea or another caffeinated beverage (or by taking Excedrin, which contains caffeine).

If you are worried about addiction, the best thing to do is to cut down gradually on the amount of caffeine you consume. If you also drink coffee and caffeinated soft drinks or take medication containing caffeine, eliminating these from your diet will make it easier for you to drink tea without fear of serious addiction.

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