# Coffee drinkers: would you say YOUR use of caffeine qualifies as an addiction? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 20, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663 "2012-12-20T20:46:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/21 "2012-12-20T22:38:15Z")
> [@Brynda](#): > > Addicted isn’t the right word, but if you ask if I have withdrawal from coffee when I don’t drink it, the answer is yes. I have one measly 16 oz cup of coffee a day, but if I miss it, I develop a terrible headache. If you get these physical symptoms from not having coffee then addiction is exactly the right word. A couple of years ago I used to be. 2-4 cups a day. Then one day I over did and had 4 cups by 9 AM and then a couple of sodas not long after and I got the shakes and an irritated stomach. So I stopped and haven’t had it since. Hot chocolate is my poison now. It’s only 99.9% caffeine free according to this box of Nestle but I’m ok with that .1% of caffeine. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/22 "2012-12-20T22:43:19Z")
I am very addicted and those of you who post that you can take it or leave it make me want to stab you in the throat! :mad: luckily, I have had a bunch today so I am not cranky. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/23 "2012-12-20T22:53:58Z")
I have 2 or 3 cups of coffee per week, 2 or 3 cups of tea per week. No soda. No Red Bull or other similar drinks. I have never had a caffeine headache in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/24 "2012-12-20T22:57:52Z")
You’re right though. It is a gateway drug to chocolate pecan pie. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/25 "2012-12-20T23:04:36Z")
I get a headache in the afternoon if I don’t have any coffee that day. I only need a cup or so to stave that off, but I usually drink more. It’s a calculated decision, though, since I’m going to eat or drink _something_ enjoyable during the day at work, and coffee has no calories\*. Addicted to caffeine? BFD. - Where’s that pie, BTW? ETA: I’ll add that in college, I didn’t drink coffee. During the afternoon or evening, every day, I’d drink a bottle of Coke and 1/3 of a bag of Fritos. Not 1/3 of those little snack bags. 1/3 of those 18 Oz. or whatever bags. Yeah, I’ll stick with the coffee now, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/26 "2012-12-20T23:10:02Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/27 "2012-12-20T23:13:59Z")
I went with “current coffee drinker, not addicted.” If I don’t get caffeine, I don’t get a headache. Drinking coffee is certainly a thoroughly engrained habit, however, and I miss it if I don’t get at least one cup in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/28 "2012-12-20T23:38:55Z")
_I’m a current coffee drinker but I’m not addicted._ I love coffee. I want it all the time. But, I can go days without it and not get headaches or have other ill effects. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/29 "2012-12-20T23:40:24Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > - Where’s that pie, BTW? As I’ve told you before: I’m happy to make dessert for everyone. I’m happy to give you a teleporter pad at no cost. I will not however pay your teleporter _bill_. That expense is between you and the Ferengi. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky_the_Wonder_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/30 "2012-12-20T23:55:41Z")
If I don’t drink my customary cup-or-three of coffee, I get a nasty withdrawal headache, so I guess that makes me addicted. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/31 "2012-12-21T00:19:09Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > If you get these physical symptoms from not having coffee then addiction is exactly the right word. > > \. The term addiction is often used incorrectly. Defining it requires understanding two other terms that are used incorrectly, so here goes: Tolerance: requiring more and more of a substance to get the same effect. Withdrawal: having physiological effects when stopping a substance. Addiction: a syndrome usually involving tolerance and withdrawal, and involving misuse of the substance (as in, taking more than is safe because of tolerance, or continuing to use despite problems in your life, work, or health, usually due to avoiding withdrawal.) So, I have withdrawal, but am not addicted. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/32 "2012-12-21T00:36:07Z")
I refuse to answer. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/33 "2012-12-21T00:49:27Z")
I usually term it as a physical addiction if the subject comes up - as it did yesterday among a group of us who were shopping downtown and I said I needed to find a Starbucks around 6pm. I can feel it starting as a tiny bit of pressure on one side of my head and as long as I can get some caffeine in me by then or, preferably before, then all’s well. Luckily, two others in the group were also imbibers, so we stopped for coffee and some local tourism at the former Marshall Field’s. It feels like my head is in a vice if I get the full-on withdrawal headache. Not fun. I’ve weaned myself off caffeine numerous times by slowly switching to decaf over a couple weeks, but always end up just drinking regular caffeinated again because it’s just a little easier, except for the, you know, must. have. coffee. every day thing. I enjoy coffee in general, so I deal. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/34 "2012-12-21T01:48:19Z")
I get withdrawal headaches, too, if I don’t have coffee every morning. But it’s also part of my morning ritual. It should be - I’ve had coffee most mornings since I was 9. ---
**Author:** ![C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C.Montgomery_Burns)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/35 "2012-12-21T01:49:49Z")
I used to think I drank coffee for the caffeine, and I do for sure in the morning. But I switched to drinking decaf by late morning and in the evening, and suffered no ill effects from lack of caffeine. I think I am more addicted to the taste of coffee at this point. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/36 "2012-12-21T02:19:03Z")
Coffee drinker, addicted, not bothered by it. I know I’m addicted from the craving I get when I don’t get that caffeine boost in the morning. It’s not a terribly strong addiction: I’m not about to kill anyone who stands between me and that cup of coffee, though I’m sure I’d be more than normally impolite with them. But it’s an addiction nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/37 "2012-12-21T02:46:33Z")
I have to have fasting lab work done every three months. I have a T-shirt I wear on lab days: “I haven’t had my coffee yet–don’t make me kill you.” After I feed the vampire, Hubster and I usually go to IHOP where I get an entire pot of coffee on the table. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/38 "2012-12-21T08:31:07Z")
Eh, sort of but not really. Caffeine / coffee has very little effect on me physiologically except to make me pee and to somewhat suppress my appetite. It doesn’t wake me up or make me more alert. It sure doesn’t make me jumpy. I can’t get those effects unless I drink gallons of it, which I haven’t done since high school. I don’t get headaches if I skip a day, even after my aforementioned gallons-of-coffee binge in HS. But I LIKE it. It’s a comfort food, part of my morning ritual. I typically nurse about 24+ oz. throughout the morning, til shortly before lunchtime. I miss it if I have to skip it. It’s not the end of the world, but I do miss it. So, I suppose you could say it’s an emotional “addiction,” although that would be more a colloquialism than a clinical term. I’m not addicted physiologically. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/39 "2012-12-21T08:47:28Z")
Not addicted - I just like it. I drink quite a lot of coffee, in comparison to my peers, but I’ve never had any problems going without - in fact, during a recent dental problem, I was unable to drink coffee for several weeks - I missed the enjoyment of drinking it, but it wasn’t hard to go without. In fact, I’m not sure I really know what it’s like to be addicted to something - I was a fairly heavy smoker, but just gave up by stopping. If I find myself needing to lose weight, I don’t have any trouble just eating less. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663/40 "2012-12-21T09:12:31Z")
I don’t drink coffee often at all (maybe a cup every other month or so), but lording it over people and thinking that I’m better than them for not being addicted to drinking coffee is an addiction all its own for me ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-drinkers-would-you-say-your-use-of-caffeine-qualifies-as-an-addiction/644663.md?page=3)