Caffeine is the most widely used drug, but little is known about helping those who depend on it 
 
 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan 28, 2014) -- "I'm a zombie without my morning coffee." "My blood type is Diet Coke." "Caffeine isn't a drug, it's a vitamin." Most people make jokes like these about needing a daily boost from their favorite caffeinated beverage--whether first thing in the morning or to prevent the after-lunch slump. 
 
 But a recent study coauthored by American University psychology professor Laura Juliano indicates that more people are dependent on caffeine to the point that they suffer withdrawal symptoms and are unable to reduce caffeine consumption even if they have another condition that may be impacted by caffeine--such as a pregnancy, a heart condition, or a bleeding disorder. 
 
 These symptoms combined are a condition called "Caffeine Use Disorder." And according to the study Juliano coauthored, even though caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world--and is found in everything from coffee, tea, and soda, to OTC pain relievers, chocolate, and now a whole host of food and beverage products branded with some form of the word "energy"--health professionals have been slow to characterize problematic caffeine use and acknowledge that some cases may call for treatment. 
 
 "The negative effects of caffeine are often not recognized as such because it is a socially acceptable and widely consumed drug that is well integrated into our customs and routines," Juliano said. "And while many people can consume caffeine without harm, for some it produces negative effects, physical dependence, interferes with daily functioning, and can be difficult to give up, which are signs of problematic use." 
 
 "Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda," which Juliano coauthored with Steven Meredith and Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and John Hughes from the University of Vermont, published last fall in the Journal of Caffeine Research. 
 
 Grounds for More Research 
 
 The study summarizes the results of previously published caffeine research to present the biological evidence for caffeine dependence, data that shows how widespread dependence is, and the significant physical and psychological symptoms experienced by habitual caffeine users. Juliano and her coauthors also address the diagnostic criteria for Caffeine Use Disorder and outline an agenda to help direct future caffeine dependence research. 
 
 In so far as heeding the call for more research, the scientific community is beginning to wake up and smell the coffee. Last spring, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized Caffeine Use Disorder as a health concern in need of additional research in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders--the standard classification of mental disorders, now in its fifth edition (DSM-5), used by mental health professionals in the United States. 
 
 "There is misconception among professionals and lay people alike that caffeine is not difficult to give up. However, in population-based studies, more than 50 percent of regular caffeine consumers report that they have had difficulty quitting or reducing caffeine use," said Juliano, who served as an appointed advisor to the DSM-5 Substance Use Disorders work group and helped outline the symptoms for the Caffeine Use Disorder inclusion. 
 
 "Furthermore, genetics research may help us to better understand the effects of caffeine on health and pregnancy as well as individual differences in caffeine consumption and sensitivity," she added. 
 
 A Lack of Labelling 
 
 Based on current research, Juliano advises that healthy adults should limit caffeine consumption to no more than 400 mg per day--the equivalent of about two to three 8-oz cups of coffee. Pregnant women should consume less than 200 mg per day and people who regularly experience anxiety or insomnia--as well as those with high blood pressure, heart problems, or urinary incontinence--should also limit caffeine. 
 
 But limiting one's caffeine intake is often easier said than done as most people don't know how much caffeine they consume daily. 
 
 "At this time, manufacturers are not required to label caffeine amounts and some products such as energy drinks do not have regulated limits on caffeine," Juliano said, adding that if this changed, people could perhaps better limit their consumption and ideally, avoid caffeine's possible negative effects. 
 
 But in a nation where a stop at Starbucks is a daily ritual for many people, is there really a market for caffeine cessation? Juliano says yes. 
 
 "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." 
 
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 American University is a leader in global education, enrolling a diverse student body from throughout the United States and nearly 140 countries. Located in Washington, D.C., the university provides opportunities for academic excellence, public service, and internships in the nation's capital and around the world. ||||| WASHINGTON (CBS DC) – A new study has found that more people are dependent on caffeine to the point experts are issuing a “caffeine use disorder” warning. 
 
 The study, coauthored by American University psychology professor Laura Juliano, shows that more people are suffering withdrawl symptoms and are unable to reduce caffeine consumption which is causes the “caffeine use disorder.” 
 
 “There is misconception among professionals and lay people alike that caffeine is not difficult to give up. 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 in a press release. “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.” 
 
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 The results of previously published caffeine research was summarized in the study to present the biological evidence for caffeine dependence and the significant physical and psychological symptoms experienced by regular caffeine users. 
 
 “The negative effects of caffeine are often not recognized as such because it is a socially acceptable and widely consumed drug that is well integrated into our customs and routines,” Juliano said. “And while many people can consume caffeine without harm, for some it produces negative effects, physical dependence, interferes with daily functioning, and can be difficult to give up, which are signs of problematic use.” 
 
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 Juliano advises that caffeine consumption should be limited to no more than 400 mg per day or the equivalent of about two to three 8-oz cups of coffee for healthy adults. She noted that pregnant women should consume less than 200 mg per day along with people who experience anxiety or insomnia regularly. 
 
 “At this time, manufacturers are not required to label caffeine amounts and some products such as energy drinks do not have regulated limits on caffeine,” Juliano said, adding that if this changed, people could perhaps better limit their consumption and ideally, avoid caffeine’s possible negative effects. 
 
 Juliano coauthored “Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda” with Steven Meredith and Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and John Hughes from the University of Vermont. 
 
 It was published in the Journal of Caffeine Research. 
 
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 Smartphone App Tells You If You’re Using Your Smartphone Too Much ||||| Caffeine is awesome, but it’s also a drug—and you’re probably addicted. Yeah, sure, you’ve heard it before, but research shows that you’re not listening. According to a new study, a significant number of caffeine users are dependent enough on the drug to have withdrawal symptoms when they don’t consume it, and have trouble cutting down even when they want to. This becomes dangerous when people need to cut down on caffeine use for reasons like heart disease or pregnancy—especially because the stimulant is largely unregulated. 
 
 The study analyzed previous research on caffeine dependance, officially known as Caffeine Use Disorder. Based on current diagnostic criteria (it’s listed in the DSM-V as a condition that warrants more investigation, though the authors of the study argue that it should be recognized as a clinical problem), you’ve got it if you’ve experienced these three symptoms within the past year: 
 
 1. You have a persistent desire to give up or cut down on caffeine use, or you’ve tried to do so unsuccessfully. 
 
 2. You continue to use caffeine despite knowing it contributes to recurring physical or psychological problems for you (like insomnia, or jitteriness). 
 
 3. You experience withdrawal symptoms if you don’t have your usual amount of caffeine. 
 
 Additional symptoms include taking more caffeine than you intend to, failing to fulfill your obligations because of caffeine use or withdrawal (so, being late to work because you drank coffee and stayed up too late, or not being able to focus because you missed your morning cup), developing a tolerance to your usual levels of caffeine, craving caffeine, and spending large chunks of time obtaining it. 
 
 It isn’t necessarily a tragedy that you and I are both (almost certainly) caffeine addicts: The researchers concluded that healthy adults can have as much as 400 mg of caffeine a day, which is the caffeine equivalent to around two or three 8-oz cups of coffee (a 16-oz serving of Starbuck’s Pike Place brew, for example, contains 330 mg). In the US, adults consume an average of 300 mg a day (pdf). Of course, other countries have higher averages—in Finland, the average adult consumes the daily maximum of 400 mg, indicating that many are consuming more, and they aren’t even the leading consumers of coffee. But in most countries, the average healthy adult is right on the mark for safe caffeine consumption. The trouble starts when they stop being so healthy. 
 
 When pregnancy or a health condition warrants a caffeine cut (pregnant women, the study advises, should cut their intake in half to 200 mg a day at most), your addiction will get in the way: The studies analyzed showed that significant stress and impairment occurred in a median of 13% of people going through caffeine withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can vary widely in severity, but generally include headaches, nausea, anxiety, fatigue, inability to focus and irritability. And studies of pregnant women showed that many of them—particularly those who self-identified as being dependent on caffeine—continued to consume high levels of the drug despite knowing the potential health effects, which can include low birthweight and even miscarriage. 
 
 What’s worse is that many people don’t even know how much caffeine they consume, the authors say. While some products voluntarily list their caffeine content, there’s no labeling standard. Caffeine comes in many forms these days—pain killers, mints, soft drinks,and all sorts of candy—but even a product as seemingly simple as coffee can vary widely in its caffeine content, with many consumers none-the-wiser. So find out how much caffeine is in your daily caffeine fix; it may be worth cutting back slowly, to avoid the headache if you need to limit your caffeine intake in the future.
– You're probably aware of health concerns tied to coffee—but you may not know that your dependence could amount to a diagnosable problem. In a recent study, researchers find that Caffeine Use Disorder may be more of a problem than many doctors realize. "There is misconception among professionals and lay people alike that caffeine is not difficult to give up. However, in population-based studies, more than 50% of regular caffeine consumers report that they have had difficulty quitting or reducing caffeine use," says study author Laura Juliano via Eureka Alert. Do you have the disorder? Quartz points to three key symptoms: You want, or have tried, to quit or reduce your caffeine intake. You know caffeine leads to health problems for you—it makes it hard to sleep, for instance—but you keep using the stuff. You suffer from withdrawal symptoms, which can include headaches or nausea, if you don't get your daily dose. Before you panic, however, the site notes that researchers find 400 mg per day to be OK for healthy adults; that's between two and three eight-ounce cups. Pregnant, anxious, or an insomniac? Cut that amount in half, CBS DC reports. And if you need help, you're not alone: "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," Juliano says.