How Long Do Caffeine Withdrawals Last?

Description

Caffeine is widely regarded as the most widely used mood-altering drug around the world. According to some studies at least 80 percent of U.S. adults and children regularly consume some form of caffeine, including soda, coffee, tea, and energy drinks. The daily average is 280 milligrams, which is the equivalent of a cup or two of coffee. Caffeine withdrawal syndrome has been observed in medical literature for 170 years, and as of 2004 has been recommended for recognition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Effects

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms include headache, fatigue, decreased energy and activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and foggy thinking. Moreover flu-like illness, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and stiffness are often reported. Scientists estimate 13 percent of people develop symptoms that preclude normal, functional activity. The severity of these symptoms increases with higher caffeine doses, although amounts as low as 100 milligrams can cause mild withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms can be mitigated by reducing regular caffeine consumption rather than outright abstinence before quitting caffeine products.

Duration

Caffeine withdrawal typically occurs within 12 to 24 hours after caffeine consumption. Its effects are most pronounced during the first 20 to 51 hours, although symptoms continued for a period of 2 to 9 days. While higher doses may exacerbate symptoms, the physical withdrawal periods appears to taper off at 9 days for most users, although this does not include mental habituation. While caffeine causes withdrawal symptoms, most scientists do not classify it as an addiction because of most users' ability to quite use.

References

• Sound Medicine: Indiana School of Medicine on Caffeine Withdrawal
• CBS on Caffeine Withdrawal
• Newswise on Caffeine Withdrawal

Resources

• Psychopharmacology Article on Caffeine Withdrawal