Will I get addicted to caffeine with one cup a day???

I haven't consumed any caffeinated beverage (or decaffeinated beverage for that matter) since May. I've only been drinking water, all the time, and it really doesn't bother me. But I have been suffering from chronic migranes/headaches for 2-3 years. I get one at least every other day. If I don't have one today, it is guaranteed I will have one tomorrow. Most of the time, I suffer but can push through with the rest of my day. Then I will have one or so migraines a month, where I just have to sit in a corner and literally cry because it hurts so bad and I can't get it to stop. These can last 2-3 days.

I've really been avoiding the doctor because I'm afraid that they won't take me seriously (asked my eye doctor if my poor vision could cause it and my dentist if my wisdom teeth coming in could cause it) and they brush it off like I'm a little whiney baby just looking for attention.

So I put a light-reducing curtain up in my bedroom to keep light out in the morning when I'm sleeping. That seemed to make them less apparent in the morning (normally I wake up, and the light gives me an instant headache that I deal with the rest of the day.) But then my mom suggested drinking a cup of coffee in the morning as a possible prevention technique. So, starting Monday, I have been drinking 1 cup of coffee every morning with my breakfast. And I haven't had a headache or even the sign of a headache since then! I'm so happy! Hopefully this will combat my awful headaches. But I'm really scared of getting addicted to caffeine...will 1 cup a day make me addicted?

Replies

  • lifeskittles
    lifeskittles Posts: 438 Member
    Yes and no. I drink one cup every day because I enjoy it, it picks me up, helps me focus, and gets me going on early days. But if I DONT have that cup of coffee I'm very tired throughout the day and get a headache. Its up to you if you want to rely on it or not. I choose to enjoy it because I like it and its not bad for you. If you wanted to wean yourself off of coffee its not that hard though. Just a few days without it will do the trick. You'll feel a bit sleepy and poopy but definitely not as much as the people who drink several throughout the day.
  • ivygirl1937
    ivygirl1937 Posts: 899 Member
    I think it depends on your body - one cup a day doesn't get me addicted, but it does my husband. But either way, if they are keeping your headaches at bay, I would drink it. Coffee isn't bad for you as long as you are drinking it in moderation, same as everything. As far as the doctor, I would get another opinion from a good doctor because something has to be causing it and it's important that you get it checked out.

    Interestingly, I had a cousin where drinking caffeine GAVE him migraines. But he grew out of it and is fine with caffeine now.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    No. What you have is a medical condition and caffeine is the medication for it. This is not unusual. Things like Excedrin Migraine have caffeine in them in addition to the pain relievers because it is known to help mild migraine symptoms. Stick to the one cup and you should be fine.

    ETA: I consider an addiction as having a physical or psychological need for a substance. You have a physical need for the caffeine but it is not caused by the caffeine, it is caused by something else and the caffeine is the remedy, not the source.
  • Thanks everyone..

    I've always heard that drinking too much caffeine will give you headaches. But at the same time, meds like excedrin migraine have caffeine in them because in moderation, it should help get rid of them, too.

    I used to be an avid pop drinker...I never drank anything but Dr. Pepper. It was my love lol. But it was giving me cavities, so I stopped. I didn't seem to miss the caffeine in it (I was drinking 2-3 cans a day!!!) I just craved the sugar and the fizziness.
  • 1 cup a day is probably ok. The migraines might return if you stop drinking it, but if it's working, I would say keep doing it. You could also try something less potent like decaf (which does have some caffeine) or tea. That's what I do if I need a pick me up, because I'm very sensitive to caffeine. More often than not, a cup of decaf is all it takes to give me some physical or mental energy.
  • stacyjh1979
    stacyjh1979 Posts: 188 Member
    One cup of caffeine per day won't hurt you but ignoring the underlying problem that is causing your headaches could. I suffered from chronic headaches for close to 20 years. I had one at least 5 days a week if not every day so I sympathize with how you feel. That being said I did finally see my PCP about my headaches and I now take two medications. FIrst is Inderal LA 80mg and the other Amitriptyline 100mg. Both of these were started at lower doses and were tweaked over time. I rarely have a headache now. I also learned (you may already know this) that taking any kind of pain reliever for a headache only makes the problem worse because it causes what they call a "rebound headache." Whether it's tylenol, excedrin (which was always the only thing that helped mine), vicoden or whatever taking it on a regular basis will make your headaches work. Caffeine helps headaches because it helps dialate your blood vessels that is why it is an ingredient in excedrin. Taking something that does the same thing on a preventative level is better in the long run not to mention less harmful to your liver and/or kidneys.

    I'm no doctor but I would highly recommend seeing one. Best wishes to you.
  • stacyjh1979
    stacyjh1979 Posts: 188 Member
    I've always heard that drinking too much caffeine will give you headaches. But at the same time, meds like excedrin migraine have caffeine in them because in moderation, it should help get rid of them, too.

    Drinking caffeine will not give you a headache but drinking caffeine and then stopping it can certainly give you a headache. The amount that it would take to give you a headache or not is going to vary by person. My bigger concern though would be that you are masking an underlying problem that really should be addressed. There is some reason you're getting such frequent headaches and this is a bandaid that will help now but probably cause you more grief in the long run. Just my opinion and personal experience.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I drink one or two cans of Diet Coke every day during the week while I'm at the office. Week nights I mostly drink water at home. On the weekends I'll often not drink any soda at all during the day and I never notice any problems. At one time in my life I was drinking it all day long and if I didn't have a can before Noon I'd have a headache but I never noticed less energy or any other symptoms.

    If it's working for you, keep doing it. I would highly suggest seeing your doctor specifically about your migraine symptoms. Don't beat around the bush. Make sure he/she fully understands what's happening to you, what types of things trigger the headaches, the exact symptoms and the fact that a low dose of caffeine is helping. If your doctor brushes you off, find another doctor. There are lots of people who suffer very badly as you do and there are definitely things you can do to help alleviate the condition.
  • Mbierschbach
    Mbierschbach Posts: 94 Member
    Addicted? Let's settle down. People greatly overuse that word. "I'm addicted to working out. I'm addicted to caffeine." No you're not. None of you. You don't have an uncontrollable NEED for a harmful habit. That's an ADDICTION.

    People drink a cup of coffee every day for a number of reasons. I personally drink several. I'm in the best shape of my life. I brush my teeth twice a day. I wouldn't use the word addicted.

    Coffee, or caffeine in general, as with nearly all natural foodstuffs is not a "harmful drug". Even your 2-3 sodas a day....GASP! I wouldn't call that a problem. I'd call it empty calories, others around here would even scoff at that. If it fits in your macros it's fine they say. I'd just rather use 200 calories on more substance.
  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    Yes and no. I drink one cup every day because I enjoy it, it picks me up, helps me focus, and gets me going on early days. But if I DONT have that cup of coffee......
    Yep, similar to me.
    Without that 1 cup in the morning, i wouldn''t be great to be around for the rest of the day. :grumble:
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
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[/img]
  • richardheath
    richardheath Posts: 1,276 Member
    Caffeine addiction isn't like other addictions. It doesn't make you seek it out and consume more and more everyday just to keep the lows away. Basically, you might get a mild headache and be irritable if you miss your single cup one day, as that is what your body will get used to.

    Taken from http://www.webmd.com/balance/caffeine-myths-and-facts
    Caffeine Myth No. 1: Caffeine Is Addictive
    This one has some truth to it, depending on what you mean by "addictive." Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system, and regular use of caffeine does cause mild physical dependence. But caffeine doesn't threaten your physical, social, or economic health the way addictive drugs do. (Although after seeing your monthly spending at the coffee shop, you might disagree!)

    If you stop taking caffeine abruptly, you may have symptoms for a day or more, especially if you consume two or more cups of coffee a day. Symptoms of withdrawal from caffeine include:

    headache
    fatigue
    anxiety
    irritability
    depressed mood
    difficulty concentrating

    No doubt, caffeine withdrawal can make for a few bad days. However, caffeine does not cause the severity of withdrawal or harmful drug-seeking behaviors as street drugs or alcohol. For this reason, most experts don't consider caffeine dependence a serious addiction.

    But even if you DO get addicted, then really, so what? If the coffee is preventing migraines, then having to have one cup a day (as a medicine, as another poster put it) isn't really a big deal.

    But you should also go see your PCP or a specialist. An eye doctor or dentist probably can't treat (or bill your insurance company) migraines, prescribe the appropriate medicines etc.
  • One cup of caffeine per day won't hurt you but ignoring the underlying problem that is causing your headaches could. I suffered from chronic headaches for close to 20 years. I had one at least 5 days a week if not every day so I sympathize with how you feel. That being said I did finally see my PCP about my headaches and I now take two medications. FIrst is Inderal LA 80mg and the other Amitriptyline 100mg. Both of these were started at lower doses and were tweaked over time. I rarely have a headache now. I also learned (you may already know this) that taking any kind of pain reliever for a headache only makes the problem worse because it causes what they call a "rebound headache." Whether it's tylenol, excedrin (which was always the only thing that helped mine), vicoden or whatever taking it on a regular basis will make your headaches work. Caffeine helps headaches because it helps dialate your blood vessels that is why it is an ingredient in excedrin. Taking something that does the same thing on a preventative level is better in the long run not to mention less harmful to your liver and/or kidneys.

    I'm no doctor but I would highly recommend seeing one. Best wishes to you.

    What tests did the doctor run you through? I am well aware that he is gonna probably want to do blood work and a CT scan to make sure it is nothing serious. Anything else that the doc did to you? Just curious...
  • mbcieslak87
    mbcieslak87 Posts: 206 Member
    You will be just fine with a cup of coffee a day - that's certainly not an addiction. Most of the corporate world is surviving with an IV of the stuff in our arm. I personally drink 3-4 cups a day on work days and none on the weekends and don't seem to suffer any problems; if I am a bit groggy, its nothing some light exercise, like a walk, won't cure!

    Good luck! - and see a doctor about those headaches - they really can help!
  • nicsflyingcircus
    nicsflyingcircus Posts: 2,851 Member
    Caffeine really helps with my chronic headaches (I had 5 concussions by age 18, one so bad I was actually unconscious for close to an hour, wheee). I have been on, and OFF, several medications for my occasional (I guess an average of monthly since I was a teen) migraines. Imitrex I had to stop taking almost as soon as I began, due to cease and desist side effects (chest pain/heaviness). I took Midrin for awhile (over a year and 15 migraines) before it started giving me severe heart palpitations, etc.

    Mostly now, I am trying to lose weight, get more sleep (this one is a biggie, I've been an intermittent insomniac since my teen years) and I drink lots of water and moderate amounts of coffee. While I still get a headache about as many days as I don't, I am fully capable of functioning through anything up to a medium-grade headache (something that most people would classify as -bad-) and I've only had two migraines since April, which is some sort of record for me, knock on wood.

    To answer your topic question, no you will not get addicted to coffee with one cup a day :P
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Caffeine addiction isn't like other addictions. It doesn't make you seek it out and consume more and more everyday just to keep the lows away. Basically, you might get a mild headache and be irritable if you miss your single cup one day, as that is what your body will get used to.

    Taken from http://www.webmd.com/balance/caffeine-myths-and-facts


    'Mild' headache? My caffeine withdrawal headaches are horrible. One cup should be fine though...
  • 12_oz_Curls
    12_oz_Curls Posts: 140 Member
    Would you rather be addicted to coffee or headaches? Just asking...

    That being said, my wife has SEVERE migraines (3 day hospital stay migraines.) Dr. fixed her up nicely will meds that fixed it. You might want to see your doc.
  • meridianova
    meridianova Posts: 438 Member
    my first question when i read through these posts was... "why are you worried about it?" of all the things that you could become addicted to (meaning your body and mind are literally incapable of functioning and cause severe illness, hallucinations, and other detrimental symptoms during withdrawal), caffiene is one of the last substances you should worry about.

    that being said, i am not human before i've had my morning coffee. i drink a 32oz iced coffee with cream every weekday morning, and on weekends it's about half a pot (hubby and i will split one) of hot coffee, also with cream.

    as others have said, the caffiene in that coffee is a recognized medicine to combat migraines. but considering the frequency that you're getting them, i would go see a doctor and do NOT let them blow you off. they could be anything from neurological to an allergy to something far worse.
  • LeslieTSUK
    LeslieTSUK Posts: 215 Member
    i'd say get a nice new filer coffee maker, and some good filters, and ground coffee, and some americano morning coffe, i have 3 cups each day, sometimes more, and totally love it.

    Ben drinking coffee for as long as i remember, but never been addicted to it, had spells where I just got fed up with it and had a few months off it, then got into taste of it again.

    You could actually be light sensitive, if you find normal light hurts ya head, try led light bulbs, and led lamps, I find they don't give me headaches like normal light and sunlight do.

    Also, have you had your blood pressure checked?

    One trick I do use when my head starts banging is, pouring cold water over my head a few times.
    Makes me a bit unsteady on my feet for a few moments then goes away, and seems to help lessen headache.

    ohh, and try the pink migralieve from local chemist, can help sometimes.

    Wish you all the best
  • elizabethcart
    elizabethcart Posts: 3 Member
    What concerns you with becoming a caffeine addict? Pretty much 99% of us are!
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  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Go and see a doctor. It seems your just st there guessing what could possibly be wrong. So rather than randomly pick causes see a doctor. As a life long migraine sufferer often it's impossible to tell the cause but your more likely to get something that could stop them if you actually go and speak to a medical professional

    As for your paranoia about caffeine addiction theres a good logical post just above