Many people in recovery from alcoholism, addiction, co-dependency and gambling consume large amounts of caffeine at the beginning of recovery.
A lot of people like to cut back their consumption after a few months or years but experience withdrawal symptoms. And, discomfort of this sort can lead to relapse.
Forewarned is forearmed. So what are the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal? Researchers asked about 300 people what their experiences were with caffeine withdrawal.
This research found 7 symptoms of caffeine withdrawal:
- Fatigue/drowsiness;
- Low alertness/difficulty concentrating;
- Mood disturbances;
- Low sociability/motivation to work;
- Nausea/upset stomach;
- Flu-like feelings; and
- Headaches.
Compared to non-daily coffee consumers, daily consumers had GREATER increases in total withdrawal, fatigue/drowsiness, low alertness/difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, and headache.
Laura M. Juliano, Edward D. Huntley, Paul T. Harrell, Ashley T. Westerman Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Volume 124, Issue 3, 1 August 2012, Pages 229–234
Related Reading:
