Depression Forums

General => The Lounge => Topic started by: Amanda_George on February 01, 2016, 01:11:29 PM

Title: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 01, 2016, 01:11:29 PM: Is it possible to get addicted to coffee please?

I've got a huge jar of instant coffee sitting in the kitchen that Steve doesn't like the taste of but it wakes me up and gives me more energy and stuff that I could easily get addicted to if I'm not careful!

Is that even possible though? That I'm just not used to the caffeine boost?

I'm thinking that lunchtime is the latest I should drink it though so that I can sleep that night! lol
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Pip on February 01, 2016, 03:56:06 PM: Coffee isn't addictive as far as I'm aware but I can understand why people do drink it a lot. My sister and brother in law used to drink a lot of coffee so I started drinking coffee more often. In recent years I have cut right back as I was concerned about my caffeine intake. Now if I drink too much coffee it makes me hyper.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 02, 2016, 08:59:00 AM: Thank you, Pip! Just need to get used to the bitter taste then! lol
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: MamaLou on February 02, 2016, 09:17:53 PM: It's the caffeine in coffee that's addictive. It can make you physically dependent.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 03, 2016, 10:19:15 AM: Oh right, thank you MamaLou! ^-^
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: SteveW on February 03, 2016, 08:28:39 PM: Probably Caffeine is mildly addictive. But there are at least two forms of addiction, physical and psychological. If you are physically addicted and stop taking a drug then you are going to experience physical symptoms. If you are psychologically addicted you are going to miss a substance you like and are used to but you shouldn't get a physical reaction.

Caffeine is a bit of both, though people argue about this. Wikipedia lists the following as caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
headaches,
muscle pain and stiffness,
lethargy,
nausea,
vomiting,
depressed mood,
marked irritability

My feeling is that you would have to consume an awful lot of caffeine over a fairly long period to generate stuff like that. Most people who are addicted to caffeine have a psychological addiction anyway. I am not at all convinced that significant physical addiction to caffeine exists. I read one paper that claimed 100 mg Caffeine per day was sufficient to induce addiction but it failed to mention how long you had to consume it for. If Caffeine is causing you sleep problems then
your idea of cutting back is sound. Just remember that Tea and Coca-Cola contain significant amounts of Caffeine. I dread to think how much Red Bull contains.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: MamaLou on February 04, 2016, 03:36:47 PM: I'm definitely physically addicted to coffee. I'm really physically unwell if I don't get my caffeine hit. I have debilitating headaches, stomach upsets, irritability, lethargy and a marked change in mood (for the worse). So I won't be cutting out caffeine from my life - it's not worth it!!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 05, 2016, 08:46:51 AM: Quote from: MamaLou on February 04, 2016, 03:36:47 PM
I'm definitely physically addicted to coffee. I'm really physically unwell if I don't get my caffeine hit. I have debilitating headaches, stomach upsets, irritability, lethargy and a marked change in mood (for the worse). So I won't be cutting out caffeine from my life - it's not worth it!!

Sounds awful, MamaLou! Does having a cup/mug of coffee help you to feel better or not really?
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: stewart on February 05, 2016, 01:16:15 PM: i get through almost 2 ltrs each day
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 05, 2016, 08:35:10 PM: :o Stewart!
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Pip on February 05, 2016, 09:34:59 PM: Although I don't drink a lot of coffee I do prefer percolated coffee over instant or by using my new toy a Dolce Gusto.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: MamaLou on February 05, 2016, 10:19:19 PM: I'm like Stewart I literally drink litres of the stuff everyday! And I honestly cannot live without it. I ONLY drink FRESH coffee - never instant! My friends call me a coffee snob !
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 06, 2016, 09:18:02 AM: Fresh coffee is too strong for me though!

I've literally only drunk about 5 mugs of coffee in my life! :tongue0015:
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Pip on February 10, 2016, 10:38:55 PM: Must admit I'm a coffee snob as well.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 11, 2016, 07:59:45 PM: So is Steve! lol
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: stewart on February 22, 2016, 12:51:10 PM: If i had the finance i would be like MamaLou,
but unfortunatly im on instant coffee, though saying thet
sainsburys basic does have a kick to it

make a thermos when i get up and it lasts most of the day
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 22, 2016, 04:37:55 PM: I'm still a newbie to coffee and only have half a teaspoon of instant coffee and 2 sweeteners even now! lol
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: stewart on February 23, 2016, 12:53:49 PM: half a teaspoon..... thats coloured water not coffee :)
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 23, 2016, 01:40:18 PM: Those half teaspoons add up to more coffee than I've drunk in the past all combined! lol
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Pip on February 23, 2016, 11:02:33 PM: I've just realized I've managed to get through a whole day without drinking coffee.
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on February 24, 2016, 07:42:01 AM: That's awesome, Pip! :happy0158:
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: stewart on March 07, 2016, 12:15:54 PM: another good thing about a hot mug of coffee, something to warm the hands on these cold days
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: Amanda_George on March 08, 2016, 07:40:06 PM: That's what hot chocolate and instant soup is for though, Stewart! :tongue0015: lol
Title: Re: Coffee
Post by: SteveW on March 08, 2016, 08:25:26 PM: In any sane world that would be what a decent income and Central Heating would be for Amanda.