“I don’t need to have it; I can take it or leave it.” “I can quit any time.” “It doesn’t really have an affect on me; I just like the taste of it.” “I only have one cup a day.” I personally fooled myself into thinking that because I didn’t drink coffee, I was immune to caffeine addiction. Oh no. Sodas, diet sodas, tea, energy drinks and even chocolate have their fair amount of caffeine. As I’ve confessed before, I am a former Diet Coke junkie. I even admit that, given a particularly stressful day and too little sleep, just the sight of that ice cold bottle with the white and red logo, can start the craving process. I have to mentally repeat all of the negative things it will do to my body and how bad the withdrawal symptoms have been in the past. There are times that the craving takes over and I grab a soda; but, fortunately, it doesn’t taste that great any more.

Caffeine may be the most popular drug in the world and many don’t realize that they are indeed addicted, and it most certainly is a drug. We consume caffeine in coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, many soft drinks, and prescription and over the counter drugs. Up to 90% of adult Americans consume caffeine every day – up to 280 mg., or the equivalent of two cups of coffee. Doctors at Johns Hopkins University have confirmed that true caffeine addiction can occur even when small amounts (about one cup of coffee per day) are consumed, although physical dependence becomes a reality with four or more cups a day. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that enters the bloodstream through the stomach and can have effects as soon as 15 minutes after it is consumed. Once in the body, caffeine will stay around for hours, taking about six hours for half of the caffeine to be eliminated. Take away your coffee, chocolate or soda and see if you are truly dependent. Typical withdrawal symptoms associated with caffeine are headache, fatigue and muscle pain. These symptoms can occur within 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine.

Here are some interesting caffeine facts:

• In the year 1763, there were over 200 coffee shops in Venice

• The heavy tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773, which caused the Boston Tea Party, resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. Drinking coffee was an expression of freedom.

• In the year 1790, there were two firsts in the United States; the first wholesale coffee roasting company, and the first newspaper advertisement featuring coffee.

• Coffee represents 75% of all the caffeine consumed in the United States.

• Note: Caffeine does NOT counteract the effects of alcohol. It does not make a drunk person sober or fit to drive.

• Legend has it that coffee was “discovered” around 850 AD in upper Egypt by a goat herder named Khaldi. One night, Khaldi’s goats did not return home. When he found his goats, Khaldi saw them dancing around a shrub with red berries (coffee beans). After Khaldi tried some of the berries, he started to dance, too. Khaldi spoke with some monks who used the berries to make a drink and …coffee was born!

Why do we consume so much caffeine? We are not getting enough sleep, trying to do too much in a day, not doing enough physical activity, eating poorly and allowing stress to take hold. All these factors and more create a fatigue, physically, mentally and emotionally. Caffeine has been used as a short-term pick-me-up with long term negative effects.

Because this is National Caffeine Addiction month, I am suggesting you consider cutting back the amount of caffeine you take in each day. While I know you are not an addict, the amount of caffeine you are taking in might be more than your body needs and could even have long-term negative results. Try positive additions to your life, such as exercise, eating well, relaxation techniques, a little time management and eliminate the addictions.