THE story goes, sanitise by washing your hands, put on a mask whenever going out of your house, maintain social distance in whatever you do and that way we can keep Covid-9 a distance from us.
Caffeine addiction is the excessive and or harmful use of caffeine over a period of time, with negative effects on your health, social interactions, and other areas of your life.
I have just being watching the way people are taking coffee these days excessively, you find one person saying this is my fifteenth cup and then you simply recognise help is needed because the person is now an addict of caffeine.
As caffeine is a widely accepted and used drug , many people do not believe caffeine can be addictive. While most caffeine users feel they enjoy many of the effects of caffeine, like a ”good morning boost” they may not be aware of some of the negative effects the drug is having, such as disrupted sleep, irritability, and anxiety.
Many people for example, get into a vicious cycle of drinking coffee to increase energy, only to find themselves both fatigued and unable to relax at bedtime.
Some people experience significant problems as a result of their caffeine use, have difficulty coping without caffeine, and experience other unpleasant side effects as a result. There have even been isolated cases of caffeine overdose.
Caffeine is one of the most widely used addictive substances, and it is heavily marketed to adults, teens, and even children. While coffee is probably the most frequently used source of caffeine, it is also present in many common foods and drinks, so your caffeine intake might be higher than you.
Caffeine intoxication and caffeine withdrawal can be very unpleasant physically and psychologically, but either can be mistaken for a variety of other conditions. For example people who are intoxicated with caffeine can either exhibit similar symptoms as people with attention deficit disorders; caffeine shares similar symptoms with mood disorders.
Caffeine addiction can cause and exacerbate many different health problems. Gradually reducing your daily caffeine intake by increasingly mixing caffeinated beverages with non-caffeinated drinks is the best way to quit caffeine without withdrawal symptoms.
Caffeine has various effects on the body which are potentially harmful to health. Caffeine increases heart rate and can cause abnormalities in the heartbeat, so it is not recommended for people with cardiovascular problems. It also increases blood pressure and bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
It is wise that as we take our caffeine we are aware of such risks, a stitch in time saves nine.
For help contact 0772399734 or email [email protected] , and please join the Rechabites and ICM in building a drug-free and healthy environment.
Mthandazo Ndlovu is a drug rehabilitation specialist, addictions counsellor, adolescent counsellor and professional counsellor.
