Caffeine dependence syndrome. Evidence from case histories and experimental evaluations.
OBJECTIVE
The extent to which daily caffeine use is associated with a substance dependence syndrome similar to that associated with other psychoactive drugs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess volunteers who reported problems with their use of caffeine for evidence suggesting a diagnosis of caffeine dependence based on the generic criteria for substance dependence from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).


METHODS
Case-series evaluations.


METHODS
An academic research center.


METHODS
Self-identified adults who believed they were psychologically or physically dependent on caffeine.


METHODS
Diagnoses made by a psychiatrist using a structured clinical interview that included a section on caffeine dependence based on genetic criteria for DSM-IV substance dependence.


METHODS
Double-blind caffeine-withdrawal evaluation.


RESULTS
Ninety-nine subjects were screened for the study, and 16 were identified as having a diagnosis of caffeine dependence. Median daily caffeine intake was 357 mg, and 19% of subjects consumed less than the national (US) daily average of caffeine. Criteria used for making diagnoses (and rates of their prevalence) were as follows: withdrawal (94%), use continued despite knowledge of a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by caffeine use (94%), persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use (81%), and tolerance (75%). Eleven subjects underwent the double-blind caffeine-withdrawal evaluation portion of the study, and nine (82%) of the 11 showed objective evidence of caffeine withdrawal, including eight of 11 with functional impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
These results, together with other experimental evidence, suggest that caffeine exhibits the features of a typical psychoactive substance of dependence. It is valuable to recognize caffeine dependence as a clinical syndrome, since some people feel compelled to continue caffeine use despite desires and recommendations to the contrary.
Strain
E C
EC
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md 21224.
Mumford
G K
GK
Silverman
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K
Griffiths
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RR
D000328:Adult; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013577:Syndrome
D002110:Caffeine