More people are becoming so chronically addicted to caffeine that psychologists have taken a stand to caution against "caffeine use disorder," CBS News reported.
A new study revealed that caffeine- the world's most widely used drug- causes severe withdrawal symptoms in some people to the point where they are incapable of giving it up, resulting in "caffeine use disorder."
"There is a misconception among professionals and lay people alike that caffeine is not difficult to give up," Laura Juliano, a psychology professor from the American University who coauthored the study, said in a Tuesday statement obtained by CBS News.
"However, in population-based studies, more than 50 percent of regular caffeine consumers report that they have had difficulty quitting or reducing caffeine use." Juliano said.
The study was conducted with experts from John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Vermont. The study, "Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda," was published in the Journal of Caffeine Research.
Juliano went on to say that those addiced to coffee or caffeinated sodas want to cure their addiction.
"Through our research, we have observed that people who have been unable to quit or cut back on caffeine on their own would be interested in receiving formal treatment- similar to the outside assistance people can turn to if they want to quit smoking or tobacco use," Juliano said.
Most people don't really know how much caffeine they consume on a daily basis, which makes treating "caffeine use disorder" more difficult. Labeling laws do not require manufacturers to list the amounts of caffeine their product contains, the study's statement said.
In the meantime, Juliano suggests that adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, or two to three 8 ounce cups of coffee, the statement said. For pregnant women and those with insomnia, heart problems or anxiety, the amount should be reduced to 200 milligrams of caffeine.
