how dependant are you on caffeine?

[LilPima]

On weekdays, I typically have a double mug of coffee before I leave the house for work, and a DD large size when I get to work, sometimes followed by an additional cup or two and a cup after lunch. The other day, from stress, I had 6 cups in the afternoon and 6 cups and a hot chocolate the following morning. My typical intake is probably more of an average of four 6 or 8 oz cups a day.

Of course, without it, I get a withdrawal headache. I don't and have never drank soda, energy drinks are pretty much limited to the occasional vodka and red bull, I can't stand tea and decaf is full of chemicals. I have pretty low blood pressure so I feel that the coffee brings me up to a normal level.

Is there anything worng with this? I am far from dehydrated as I drink way more water than a person is supposed to daily, and drink milk solo and consume milk products for the calcium. I don't want to wean myself off it because it is warm, tastes glorious, and supresses my appetite enough so that I can withstand the wait to eat breakfast until I'm at work.

How much coffee do you guys drink?


Before the request comes....

Cliffs
-I drink a LOT of caffeine, only in regular coffee.
-without it I feel like crap.
-with it I'm supergirl.
-how about you?

 

[Amused]

I just kicked the habit. It was rather depressing to think of a day as dose-to-dose of a drug just to stop headaches and sleepiness.

 

[jamesbond007]

I drink zero coffee, have an occassional soda when I go and eat out with friends, I keep no soda at home (only juices), but I do have an energy drink here and there throughout the week. You're addicted and should probably do something about it.

There's a difference between being hydrated and properly hydrated and you fall into the later category, I'm afraid. Your body can't just absorb coffee like it can water. It has to break it down, filter it, and then do what it can. That process alone consumes water and energy you already have, so although you may urinate a lot, you may not be getting much benefit if you think it keeps you hydrated.

How old are you? You may have low blood pressure now, but older adults always say (so it must be true!) that it catches up with you sooner or later.

 

[IronWing]

Have you ever had an altitude induced headache? Four hours w/o caffeine is like that only it still hurts during the blackouts.

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: Amused
I just kicked the habit. It was rather depressing to think of a day as dose-to-dose of a drug just to stop headaches and sleepiness.

Did you quit cold turkey?

It's sad but I've found it easier to go without a beer than coffee.

I get throbbing headaches without coffee.

 

[LilPima]

Originally posted by: jamesbond007

There's a difference between being hydrated and properly hydrated and you fall into the later category, I'm afraid. Your body can't just absorb coffee like it can water. It has to break it down, filter it, and then do what it can. That process alone consumes water and energy you already have, so although you may urinate a lot, you may not be getting much benefit if you think it keeps you hydrated.Q]

I don't count coffee as my intake of water, I drink on average 80-100 oz of virgin water a day (DRV is 64)

How old are you? You may have low blood pressure now, but older adults always say (so it must be true!) that it catches up with you sooner or later.

Just 25, supposedly the turning point when all things in your body start to go bad

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: KevinH

Originally posted by: Amused
I just kicked the habit. It was rather depressing to think of a day as dose-to-dose of a drug just to stop headaches and sleepiness.

Did you quit cold turkey?

It's sad but I've found it easier to go without a beer than coffee.

I get throbbing headaches without coffee.

Yep. I got tired of being a slave to it.

Had a few bad headaches but they cleared up after a short while.

 

[jamesbond007]

Well it's good that you are drinking regular water, but you are still addicted to caffeine. I'd strongly suggest you do something about it, though. It's still a drug, no matter how you slice it or dice it.

I'm also 25, but I wouldn't get too shaken up about it. I was photographing a marathon this last weekend and a guy, who looked between 40-50 years old (so he was probably 60 or 70 ) started break dancing about 100 feet before the finish line! People thought he was nuts and I heard some ladies tell him to run back to the start line again! :laugh:

He's living proof that if you take care of your body, it should last a damn long time.

 

[Jumpem]

Not at all. I honestly don't think that it affects me.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

Gotta have that cup in the morning, otherwise I feel like a zombie the entire day. Occasionally some black tea in the evening if I start dragging due to not getting much sleep the night before.

 

[SKORPI0]

I don't have the craving like my friends who can't live/work without it. I prefer hot chocolate over coffee and their varieties. But I do drink coffee once in a while.

I was once approached by a 50+ man asking me for the nearest Star Bucks "to get his fix" in the middle of a empty parking lot. It was about 7 am though. Showed him where 2 Star Bucks were located but told him with a blank expression that they probably not open yet. One was a newly opened B&M and the other one was inside a Target store.

 

[Dulanic]

Large DD coffee in the morning and usually a Dr. Pepper or 2 at night.

 

[OdiN]

I drink a 16oz coffee M-F. I don't drink any on the weekends or on my days off. I only drink it when I go to work.

I never get headaches or anything and have gone a week with no coffee.

So I'd say not dependant at all.

 

[Yzzim]

I get headaches by around 1pm if I don't have a coffee/caffeine in the morning.

Last year I was sick for a couple days and had zero caffeine. Had a really bad headache for the first day and a slight one the next. The following few days after that I felt so tired and blah. Drank a coke that night and was jumping off the walls.

I would say I'm addicted.

 

[Muse]

I drink coffee regularly, but a couple of times have stopped cold turkey for weeks at a time, no problem.

 

[xanis]

I don't drink coffee, and I drink all decaffeinated stuff except for an occasional Coke or iced tea.

 

[Brainonska511]

1 cup of coffee in the morning to help me wake up. After that, I'm good for the day. If I don't have the coffee, I get a mild headache at the end of the day.

 

[Crono]

Caffeine actually helps me control migraines, and I like drinking a cup or two of coffee in the morning. If I drink coffee past 5PM, though, I usually can't get to sleep for at least 6 hours or more after, so I don't drink past that time. I'm not addicted, because I routinely go without drinking coffee or tea (rarely drink soda) for up to a week or more, and I don't suffer any withdrawal symptoms. I prefer drinking tea (usually green or white, sometimes oolong or black), because it's not as harsh on my stomach, and I like the smooth and calming effect of drinking tea.

OP, if you are afraid you are addicted, try going a week without caffeine, despite withdrawal symptoms. Caffeine is a drug, though mild, and dependence on it isn't a desirable thing, especially if you are relying on it to deal with stress. 3 cups a day isn't that bad, but 6 cups or more is a bit excessive. Wean yourself down to 1 cup in the morning, and 1 in the afternoon if you need it. Even if you don't like tea, try drinking that in between your coffee breaks, as it might help in preventing caffeine "crashes". Tea is an acquired taste for a lot of people; I didn't like tea until very recently.

 

[BoomerD]

I average 2 pots of coffee every day...usually 3 pots on the weekend.
I drink one full pot of coffee very morning before I leave for my first class of the day, then the second pot (I usually have to share some of the second one with my wife) once I get home.
Weekends, the coffee is on from the time I get up until at least 3 p.m.

 

[Imdmn04]

For those of you drink coffee every day? How many hours do you sleep?

If I sleep less than 7 hours, I get tired during the day and would need to drink coffee or energy drink. But if get at least 7 hours on my sleep, I don't need coffee at all. I also get very sleepy right after lunch, but I can usually fight it off if I am working on stuff.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

i love coffee. love it love it love it love it love it!

 

[DomS]

Not at all. It's just not good for you. I never drank/ate anything with it before I took my physio courses...and then after my physio and psychopharm courses I was glad I never did...yeesh.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
i love coffee. love it love it love it love it love it!

You just drank 10 cups, didn't you

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
For those of you drink coffee every day? How many hours do you sleep?

If I sleep less than 7 hours, I get tired during the day and would need to drink coffee or energy drink. But if get at least 7 hours on my sleep, I don't need coffee at all. I also get very sleepy right after lunch, but I can usually fight it off if I am working on stuff.

Generally, 8 hours or more a night. I'm just not really a morning person, so the coffee helps me focus, especially for my morning class (or during the summer, just going into the lab to do work).

 

[BudAshes]

1 adderall for breakfast and you will be going all day and you won't want to eat at all.