A Critical Analysis and Evaluation of Caffeine Use Disorder
Caffeine is one of the most consumed substances in the world and it was estimated that 90% of the United States population consume caffeine regularly (Frary, Johnson, & Wang, 2005) and on average the typical caffeine user consumes approximately 200mg per day (Meredith, Juliano, Hughes & Griffiths, 2013). Caffeine has been documented to have the potential to cause a variety of negative consequences and shares many of the diagnostic criteria seen in substance use disorder (SUD). The major diagnostic criteria for caffeine use disorder (CUD) includes; persistent and unsuccessful desire to cut down on caffeine use (Jones & Lejuez, 2005; Juliano, Evatt, Richards & Griffiths,
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CUD is seemingly widespread with prevalence estimates ranging from 24-30% which is a substantially high rate when considering how ubiquitous general caffeine use is (Hughes, Oliveto, Liguorio, Carpenter & Howard, 1998). It is evident that caffeine use and CUD are far-reaching and is an issue that has been recommended for further research by the DSM. The aim of this essay was to critically analyse and evaluate key diagnostic criteria and to provide a recommendation as to whether CUD is a valid psychological disorder and whether it should be included in the next edition of the DSM.
Persistent or unsuccessful desire to cut down on use The first diagnostic criterion for CUD is a persistent or unsuccessful desire to cut down on caffeine use and has been reported to have a large degree of variation across the literature with estimates ranging from 10-80% (Meredith et al., 2013). This is arguably one of the more important diagnostic criteria of CUD as it must be present for clinical diagnosis however, the literature raises questions as to whether it represents a psychological disorder. Juliano et al.
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The literature indicates that there is a distinct prevalence disparity on this criteria between normal populations, participants with CUD and participants with psychiatric disorders (Striley et al. 2011; Ciapparelli et al. 2010). It was also suggested that caffeine use despite harm is associated with negative biological, psychological, physiological and academic outcomes (James, Kirstjánsson, & Sigfúsdóttir, 2011). Negative biological consequences for use despite harm include hypertension and enuresis, whereas psychological consequences included anxiety and insomnia (Striley et al. 2011). This suggests that this diagnostic criterion is not strictly biological or psychological but a multifaceted combination of factors. However, the researcher’s conclusions should be interpreted with caution as there was an overrepresentation of participants who used licit and illicit substances which was not controlled in the study. There was also no indication the amount of variability biological and psychological factors produced and there was also the potential that negative consequences could have been due to other substances, not caffeine. Ciapparelli et al (2010) also revealed that participants 24.1% of participants with psychiatric disorders were reported to use caffeine
With this being said, the author includes this in his essay because he wants to show that it is possible to go without caffeine, but people consume caffeinated drinks in order to feel awake, alert, and focused. In addition, Gladwell includes scientific information about how caffeine works in humans’ bodies. He does this to show that caffeine has a healthy and safe effect on one’s body, and because of this, “caffeine is such a wonderful stimulant” (250). Therefore, Gladwell effectively incorporates historical figures and scientific knowledge in his essay in order to give strong evidence, and it would be difficult for people to argue against why caffeine has a beneficial impact on
I feel grumpy and irritable without the caffeine. I find myself craving sweet tea throughout the day. I supplement that craving with water, but it is not the same. This week has been a struggle. I am still thinking positively about this assignment, but I am more distraught this week versus the previous one.
With more than 300 disorders listed in the DSM 5, many without a clear biological etiology, it is easy to understand why a number of mental professionals now claim that the overmedication of patients has become a concern and that this practice needs to be reevaluated. The Manual for Mental Disorders is an indispensable tool used by psychiatrists, counselors, the courts, insurance companies and others as a reference guide to identify mental disorders and their symptoms. Conditions added to the DSM which have been pathologized like sleep apnea and caffeine withdrawal headaches are prompting clinicians to rely on lab tests and science to make their diagnoses. According to the NIMH, the DSM “diagnoses are based on a consensus about clusters of
The effects of caffeine based energy drinks on cognitive and physiological function in first year undergraduate students. Introduction: Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that acts as a neurotoxin and stimulant to the body. When orally consumed, caffeine is near fully absorbed into the blood and body tissues 45 minutes after ingestion and has a half-life close to 4 hours (coffeandhealth.org). When consumed in moderate doses it can masks fatigue and can alter an individual’s perception to be less sleepy and to obtain a heightened sense of alertness. Consumption of caffeine incurs a variety of side effects such as: increased heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, stomach acid secretion and production of urine
Caffeine is a chemical found naturally in few plants all over the world. From these plants it is processed into its pure form and then put into other things such as soda, energy drinks, tea, and pills. Energy drinks and soda are some of the most widely marketed products in the world, even though they contain the highest concentration of caffeine outside of pure caffeine supplements. It is a stimulant that affects everyone in strange but semi predictable ways. Research has been done on this topic since the 1920’s and many different conclusions have been reached.
Substance dependence and substance abuse are two drug-taking behaviors that influence an individual’s ability to function. According to Levinthal (2012), substance dependence is defined as an individual physically depending on a controlled substance. Individual’s portrays various signs indicating a dependency problem. The DSM-IV measures dependency based on criteria within a twelve month time frame (Levinthal, 2012). Substance dependence can be rather disturbing to an individual when dealing with the side effects.
Caffeine has become a nationally used form of a pharmacologically active substance (PAS) (Pray et al., 1). PAS is defined by the World Health Organization as “any substance or combination of substances used as a pharmaceutical product” intended to alter the physiologically activity in the human body (“Definition of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients”). Due to the effects that caffeine has on the body, it is classified as a type of medical drug. However, caffeine may not be a healthy coping mechanism for individuals.
People do not typically see caffeine as a drug of that is as addicting as other psychostimulants. These “other psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, elevate the extracellular concentration of dopamine in the nucleus (NAc); this is believed to be one of the main mechanisms involved in the rewarding and motor-activating properties of these drugs” (Solinas 2002). In Marcello Solinas and Serge Ferré’s experiment
Caffeine is a stimulant, and can be abused just like every other drug. The difference between the drugs is how harmful they are to the user themselves, and the people around the
Although a lot of studies have shown the terrible effects caffeine has on the human body, American citizens still take in a disgusting amount of caffeine every day. Do people today really care so little about themselves, or are they
Whenever a consumer uses an energy drink a series of effects begin in his/her body. The organism receives an instant boost as the caffeine successfully manages to block the duties of the adenosine, a chemical located in the brain whose function is involved with sleeping. After the completion of the process caffeine forces part of the neurons in the brain to lighten up, which later on causes the body to release the hormone adrenaline. When the hormone is active it forces the liver to provide the bloodstream with additional
But do people realize when they take that sip of coffee, or bite into that bar of chocolate they are contaminating their body with what could be a very dangerous drug? Because that's just what caffeine is, a drug. According to Richard J. Gilbert, Ph.D., writer of The Encyclopedia Of Psychoactive Drugs: Caffeine: The Most Popular Stimulant, most people only recognize two types of drugs. The first type consists of drugs you receive from doctors or pharmacists. The second includes substances such
It is urgent that we pace the amount of caffeine from energy drinks that we ingest on a daily basis. When it comes to tedious duties
B. Some people who do not drink in moderation may become addicted to the caffeine in the coffee. C. The caffeine in the coffee can cause many
Drinking between three and five cups of coffee every day reduces the risk of brain diseases by about 28-60% Because caffeine is able to stimulate a person’s central nervous system, it can boost metabolism by about 11% and can burn fat by about 13% Caffeine can also be helpful for exercising because it stores the glucose in our muscles for a lot longer, making it not as easy for your muscles to get tired. Another great benefit to caffeine is the protection against Heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes.