Caffeine Use Disorder: A Review of the Evidence and Future Implications

Abstract

The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) has introduced new provisions for caffeine-related disorders. Caffeine Withdrawal is now an officially recognized diagnosis, and criteria for caffeine use disorder have been proposed for additional study. caffeine use disorder is intended to be characterized by cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicative of caffeine use despite significant caffeine-related problems, similar to other Substance Use Disorders. However, since nonproblematic caffeine use is so common and widespread, it may be difficult for some health professionals to accept that caffeine use can result in the same types of pathological behaviors caused by alcohol, cocaine, opiates, or other drugs of abuse. Yet there is evidence that some individuals are psychologically and physiologically dependent on caffeine, although the prevalence and severity of these problems is unknown. This article reviews the recent changes to the DSM, the concerns regarding these changes, and some potential impacts these changes could have on caffeine consumers.

Introduction

After centuries of cultivation and consumption, our relationship with caffeine has just undergone a major change. The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th Edition (DSM-5) now includes Caffeine Withdrawal Disorder and proposes a set of criteria for caffeine use disorder [1]. What effect will this have on us and America’s most popular psychostimulant?

Caffeine is generally considered a functional or beneficial drug because it can improve mood and alertness at low doses. At high doses, caffeine produces aversive intoxicating effects. For this reason, caffeine consumption is typically self-limiting and compatible with a social and productive life [2]. Caffeine is thought to have little to no abuse liability, but perhaps its modest reinforcing effects enhance the desirability of beverages that already have pleasant flavors and aromas, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. For many of us who sit behind computer screens all day, these caffeinated beverages help us focus our attention and provide a welcome excuse to get up from our chairs once in a while. Although the question of whether we are all collectively dependent on caffeine has been raised [3], coffee drinking is thought to be “more a dedicated habit than a compulsive addiction” [4].

The majority of people who use caffeine safely every day may find it difficult to understand how caffeine use could become disordered or problematic. Of course, many coffee drinkers probably have had a personal experience with withdrawal symptoms if they skipped their morning coffee, but the remedy for that is simply a cup of coffee. But what if someone were convinced he could not function without caffeine? What if he took increasingly greater amounts of caffeine to improve his ability to function, until he began to experience the effects of caffeine intoxication or withdrawal more days than not? What if he were told that his caffeine use was physically harming his body, but he could not reduce his use? At what point does caffeine use become disordered?

A few studies have suggested that some individuals meet the criteria for substance dependence regarding their caffeine use. However, many questions remain regarding the prevalence, development, and severity of disordered caffeine use. To help answer these questions and guide future research on this topic, the DSM-5 proposes a set of criteria for caffeine use disorder (CUD). This article reviews the caffeine-related changes to the DSM and the recent research and evidence for disordered caffeine use.

DSM-IV Caffeine-Related Diagnoses

Caffeine Withdrawal

The fourth edition of the DSM (DSM-IV) recognized four caffeine-related diagnoses: Caffeine Intoxication, Caffeine-Induced Anxiety Disorder, Caffeine-Induced Sleep Disorder, and Caffeine-Related Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) [5]. The criteria for Caffeine Intoxication included recent caffeine use, usually in excess of 250 mg, and 5 or more symptoms that develop shortly thereafter, such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, gastrointestinal disturbance, and tachycardia. Of the caffeine-related diagnoses included in the DSM-IV, caffeine withdrawal is notably absent, although a proposed set of criteria was included to encourage future research. The DSM-IV recognized that “some individuals who drink large amounts of coffee display some aspects of dependence on caffeine and exhibit tolerance and perhaps withdrawal. However, the data are insufficient at this time to determine whether these symptoms are associated with clinically significant impairment that meets the criteria for Substance Dependence or Substance Abuse” ([5], page 212).

Over the past 30 years, there have been a large number of studies characterizing caffeine withdrawal symptoms (for review, see [6, 7]). As a result, the DSM-5 includes diagnostic criteria for Caffeine Withdrawal, which consists of prolonged daily use of caffeine and 3 or more withdrawal symptoms occurring within 24 hours of abrupt cessation or reduction of caffeine use. These symptoms include headache, marked fatigue or drowsiness, dysphoric mood/depressed mood/irritability, difficulty concentrating, and flu-like symptoms [1].

Caffeine Dependence

Concurrent with research on caffeine withdrawal, investigators have also been studying caffeine’s abuse potential. Although the DSM-IV included a Substance Dependence diagnosis for every other recognized substance, there were no criteria or proposed criteria for caffeine dependence. Therefore, investigators adapted the DSM-IV Substance Dependence criteria for caffeine use to use in their research. The criteria for Substance Dependence consisted of a maladaptive pattern of substance use with clinically significant impairment manifested by 3 or more symptoms within a 12 month period. These symptoms included: 1) tolerance, 2) withdrawal, 3) substance used in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended, 4) a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to control use, 5) a great deal of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance, 6) forgoing important activities because of the substance, 7) and substance use continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem likely to be caused or exacerbated by the substance (i.e., ‘use despite harm’) [5].

There have been four notable studies that have investigated caffeine dependence. Strain et al. recruited participants who believed they were psychologically or physiologically dependent on caffeine. The authors reported that 16 out of 27 subjects met 3 out of 4 criteria for caffeine dependence including tolerance, withdrawal, persistent desire/unsuccessful efforts to control use, and ‘use despite harm’ (e.g., using caffeine against medical advice) [8]. A similar study by Juliano et al. reported that 93% of 94 subjects met 3 out of 7 criteria for caffeine dependence, and 55% of subjects met 5 out of 7 criteria. Most of the interviewees reported at least one serious attempt to quit or reduce caffeine without success and 43% were advised by a health professional to reduce caffeine use for health reasons (including cardiovascular problems, fibrocystic breast disease, pregnancy, anxiety, headaches, sleep difficulties, or to reduce caloric intake from caffeinated soft drinks) [9]. Another study by Striley et al. recruited subjects who were expected to have high rates of drug use/abuse. The authors reported that 35% of 167 subjects endorsed 3 out of 7 caffeine dependence criteria [10]. Lastly, Hughes et al. conducted random phone surveys of Vermont residents. They reported that 30% of 162 subjects endorsed 3 or more criteria, with the highest percentage of people endorsing a desire to control caffeine use, followed by spending a great deal of time with the drug, and using more caffeine than intended [11].

In summary, these studies suggest that caffeine use has the features of substance dependence for some individuals. Furthermore, they suggest that not all caffeine users can simply quit on their own, which is an attitude probably held by some health professionals [9]. However, these studies have several limitations. Three of the studies used targeted subject samples [8–10], and so the prevalence of caffeine dependence in the general population cannot be estimated. Additionally, in two of the studies, interviews were not conducted by psychiatric clinicians, so issues of severity and harm related to caffeine dependence may not have been adequately addressed [10, 11]. The studies on caffeine dependence reviewed here were conducted prior to the publication of the DSM-5 in 2013. Although caffeine dependence did not become an officially recognized diagnosis in this edition, these and other studies elicited interest in the psychiatric community to learn more about disordered caffeine use.

DSM-5 Caffeine-Related Diagnoses

The fifth edition of the DSM (DSM-5) includes Caffeine Intoxication, Caffeine Withdrawal, Other Caffeine-Induced Disorders (e.g., Anxiety and Sleep Disorders), and Unspecified Caffeine-Related Disorder. In this edition, Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence are now represented by Substance Use Disorder (SUD), which is applied to all classes of substances except for caffeine. For this diagnosis, individuals must endorse at least 2 of the following criteria: 1) substance used in larger amounts or over longer period than intended, 2) a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to control use, 3) a great deal of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance, 4) craving the substance, 5) substance use interfering with ability to fulfill major obligations, 6) substance use despite social problems related to use, 7) important occupational or social activities given up because of substance use, 8) recurrent use in situations when it is physically hazardous, 9) ‘use despite harm’, 10) tolerance, and 11) withdrawal [1].

The DSM-5 does not include a diagnosis of caffeine use disorder (CUD) because, according the APA, it is not yet clear to what extent it is a clinically significant disorder. However, caffeine use disorder is included in Section III (Emerging Measures and Models) of the DSM-5 to encourage further research on the impact of this condition [12]. The proposed CUD criteria are the same as other SUD; however, the CUD diagnosis is designed to be more conservative. For a CUD diagnosis, all three of the following criteria need to be endorsed: 1) a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to control use, 2) ‘use despite harm’, and 3) withdrawal. This higher threshold is intended to prevent over-diagnosis of CUD given the prevalence of nonproblematic caffeine use in the general population [1]. These proposed criteria are intended to encourage more research on the reliability, validity, and prevalence of CUD, as well as its functional consequences on the lives of those affected by it.

Current literature on caffeine use disorder

There are 3 notable articles that summarize the current attitudes and information regarding Caffeine Withdrawal and CUD. First, a roundtable discussion with Drs. Hughes, Griffiths, Juliano, and Budney provides an excellent overview of the caffeine-related changes to the DSM-5 and explains some of the decision-making process behind the revisions, as well as the concerns about Caffeine Withdrawal and CUD over-diagnosis [13**]. The discussants explain how the more conservative criteria for CUD than other SUDs should help prevent over-diagnosis, but at the same time, diagnoses included in the DSM should not be exceedingly rare. Thus, more information is needed on the prevalence of CUD before deciding whether it belongs in the DSM. Another issue raised by the panel is that there is a common perception of caffeine being a functional drug; in fact, there has been a substantial amount of research on its benefits (for review, see [14]). However, once caffeine (or any other substance) has been determined to be an addictive drug, then prejudices against discussing any potentially beneficial effects often develop in the psychiatric community [13**]. This conflict of interest could interfere with future caffeine research.

A second article complements some of the issues raised by the roundtable concerning attitudes among the psychiatric community, including both researchers and clinicians. Budney et al. (2013) investigated popular opinions about caffeine dependence/CUD among members of professional societies relevant to addiction. An overwhelming majority (95%) of those surveyed believed that caffeine cessation can produce withdrawal and 73% thought withdrawal could have clinical importance, but fewer than half thought caffeine withdrawal should be in the DSM. A small majority (58%) of respondents thought that some individuals could develop CUD, and 44% believed CUD should be a DSM diagnosis [15]. These attitudes will be influenced by research published over the next few years and could affect what caffeine-related diagnoses are included in the next edition of the DSM.

Lastly, Meredith et al. provides a comprehensive review of studies on caffeine use/abuse/dependence and summarizes the existing evidence in support of the 3 primary CUD criteria. The authors also present a number of research directions needed to further support and understand CUD. As the authors note, the prevalence of CUD is difficult to estimate from existing studies since DSM-IV criteria for caffeine dependence was used previously and the current criteria for CUD is slightly different [16**].

Use Despite Harm

Before CUD can become an official diagnosis, more research is needed on the severity of symptoms of the 3 primary criteria: 1) a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to control use, 2) substance use continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem likely to be caused or exacerbated by the substance (i.e., ‘use despite harm’), and 3) withdrawal [1]. In this author’s opinion, criterion 2 is the most contentious issue and in need clarification. Some authors appear to accept that caffeine consumption is associated with negative health effects (e.g., [9, 10]) while others believe that it is not (e.g., [2, 11, 17]). These opinions can influence research directions and hypotheses; therefore, closer examination of this criterion is needed to promote consensus on what health problems can define ‘use despite harm’ for CUD.

Evidence for physical problems caused or exacerbated by caffeine

Large, acute doses of caffeine are known to cause caffeine intoxication, which can cause a significant threat to one’s health and require medical attention. McCarthy et al. reviewed caffeine-related calls to a state poison control center. Out of 254 reported cases of caffeine abuse, 106 patients were managed in an emergency department and 34 were hospitalized and/or admitted to an intensive care unit [18*]. In addition, Ogawa and Ueki presented 2 case reports of individuals whose daily caffeine use escalated until symptoms of caffeine intoxication made medical intervention necessary [19*]. Clearly, caffeine intoxication is a medically significant health problem. However, could an otherwise healthy individual meet the criterion for ‘use despite harm’ by consuming a low to moderate daily dose of caffeine? A review by Nawrot et al. on caffeine and health recommended that doses up to 400 mg/day are safe [20]; however, it is difficult to determine the health effects of low to moderate daily doses of caffeine because the effects of caffeine cannot be easily separated from the effects of caffeinated beverages, usually coffee, tea, soft drinks, or energy drinks. The antioxidant effects of polyphenols in tea and coffee are thought to have health benefits, while the excess sugars in soft drinks and energy drinks can be detrimental. Despite these confounds, there has actually been a great deal of research on the health effects of caffeine. However, the data are inconsistent.

A review of the literature on caffeine and health is outside the scope of this article, but a brief example may be informative: Caffeine causes a small, temporary increase in blood pressure in normotensive adults. Tolerance may develop to these effects in some people, but caffeine could pose a threat to patients with, or at risk for, hypertension. Some studies have suggested an increased risk of sustained hypertension following coffee consumption (e.g., [21], while others have not found a significant relationship (e.g., [22]). Even two recent meta-analyses on caffeine and hypertension arrived at different conclusions: one found no evidence of a relationship [23] and the other found an elevated risk of hypertension associated with 1–3 cups of coffee per day, but not with 3 or more cups per day [24].

Clinicians make recommendations to their patients based on their knowledge of the literature, but the literature on caffeine and health is enormous and complicated. In at least two of the studies on caffeine dependence, subjects met the criteria for ‘use despite harm’ if they admitted using caffeine against medical advice [8, 9]. If a clinician who read about an association between caffeine and hypertension (e.g., [21]) recommended to her hypertensive patient to stop drinking coffee and he did not, should that patient meet the criteria for ‘use despite harm’ even though another physician who read a different article (e.g., [22]) would not have made the same recommendation?

To this author’s knowledge, low to moderate daily caffeine intake has not been proven to cause significant and irreversible health problems that would warrant medical intervention. That is not to say that caffeine does not or cannot have negative health effects, but researchers and clinicians need to agree on what physical health problems can be caused by chronic low to moderate caffeine intake. Whether or not low to moderate daily doses of caffeine can cause physical harm is an important issue to resolve since medical professionals recommend limiting/eliminating caffeine intake to some of their patients, and health concerns are a common reason for individuals to want to modify their caffeine use [9]. Furthermore, the fate of CUD in the next edition of the DSM may depend on the definition of ‘use despite harm’, since the other two primary criteria for CUD (i.e., a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to control use and withdrawal) could potentially be endorsed at any daily dose, even while consuming as little as 100 mg/day [25].

Evidence for psychological problems caused or exacerbated by caffeine

The DSM-5 recognizes that some features of CUD may be positively associated with other psychiatric diagnoses [1], and there have been studies investigating whether caffeine use or withdrawal can exacerbate existing psychiatric symptoms. In particular, the anxiogenic effects of high caffeine doses can aggravate symptoms of anxiety, panic disorder, and insomnia (for review, see [17, 26]). In fact, a review of eight studies that administered a caffeine challenge to patients with panic disorder found that caffeine aggravated symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder in every study [27]. While this review provides strong evidence that caffeine can exacerbate anxiety and panic disorder, these studies were caffeine challenges and not representative of the patients’ normal caffeine intake. Patterns of actual caffeine consumption among psychiatric patients have been shown to be similar to matched controls; however, maximum lifetime intake was higher among patients [28]. In addition, the prevalence of caffeine dependence and intoxication was reportedly higher in patients, who endorsed consuming more caffeine than intended, having a desire to cut down, and using caffeine despite harm more often than controls [28]. However, even among psychiatric patients, caffeine can act as a functional drug. Low to moderate daily doses of caffeine can reduce anxiety and elevate mood, and may even improve symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, although large scale clinical trials have not been conducted [17]. To date, the evidence suggests that caffeine use is associated with, but does not cause, psychiatric and substance use disorders [29]. The research on caffeine use and psychiatric disorders raises the possibility of increased risk for CUD or caffeine intoxication due to disordered use among certain patient populations and more studies are needed on the prevalence of caffeine use among individuals with psychiatric problems.

Co-use with Other Substances

Another potential contribution to disordered caffeine use is co-use with other substances. Caffeine may facilitate the effects of other drugs of abuse [2]. In particular, combining caffeinated energy drinks with alcoholic beverages has become a popular phenomenon because high doses of caffeine may offset the subjective intoxicating effects of alcohol; this is problematic because the objective intoxicating effects of alcohol are not affected [30]. Furthermore, the co-use of caffeine and sugary soft drinks may cause cross-sensitization, especially among children, and this could lead to poor dietary habits across the lifespan [31**]. Too many caffeinated soft drinks in one’s diet could increase the risk of obesity [32] and dental caries [33] in children and adolescents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, future research on CUD must demonstrate that enough people, but not too many, meet the criteria for disordered caffeine use, and that the severity and frequency of problems resulting from this use significantly interfere with their well-being and daily function. In addition, tests of the reliability and validity of CUD criteria are needed, as well as clinical treatment options and their efficacy. If the same standard of harm can be met for caffeine as for other drugs of abuse, then perhaps in another 20 years caffeine use disorder will be an official diagnosis in the DSM-6. Official recognition of CUD could significantly impact popular opinions towards caffeinated beverages and affect their legal regulation. After all, twenty years ago, caffeine withdrawal was not an officially recognized diagnosis in the DSM-IV [5], but now there is sufficient evidence of caffeine withdrawal to warrant inclusion in the DSM-5. Many people are now aware that chronic caffeine use can result in physical dependence and there has been pressure on manufacturers of caffeinated beverages to disclose their products’ caffeine content. Some researchers have even recommended warning labels on caffeinated beverages [34].

The roundtable discussion raised an important issue: if caffeine use were proven harmful in some capacity, then a bias may develop among researchers against discussing any of its potential benefits on health, cognition, or arousal [13**]. In this event, could there also be public backlash against caffeine consumption? If so, there may be legislative pressure to limit access to caffeine, or to apply age-restrictions on who can purchase and consume caffeine, in order to reduce the likelihood of caffeine-related problems among the general population. However, considering the amount of trade and commerce surrounding caffeinated beverages, caffeine use is not only a public health concern, but a major economic concern as well. It would not be surprising if coffee, tea, soft drink, and energy drink industries took an active role in dissuading official recognition of CUD in the DSM, especially if that recognition meant increased regulation of caffeinated products.

The recent research on caffeine has important considerations for health professionals and consumers. It appears that not all consumers are aware they are dependent on caffeine, or realize that their fatigue, headache, nausea or other symptoms are related to caffeine withdrawal, instead of an illness [13**]. Several authors recommend increasing awareness among both clinicians and patients about the relationship between caffeine use, health, and psychiatric disorders [19*, 28, 34], and also recommend including caffeine use assessments during psychiatric evaluations [26]. Importantly, the last survey of caffeine use in America was published in 2005 [35] and this information needs updating. Lastly, a survey of what clinicians are recommending to their patients regarding caffeine use would be valuable information for researchers and health professionals. In addition to these recommendations, there are many more potential avenues for future caffeine research. On the other hand, since caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world and there are upwards of 20,000 research articles on caffeine, there may be little left to learn about this substance and our relationship with it.