Millions of individuals consume multiple cups of caffeine each and every day. Thank you Starbucks and it 6,000 stores worldwide. Despite the fact that most of us drink more than we should (to get the kick we used to get from less) and suffer from withdrawal headaches and irritability when we stop, some researchers believe it is not an addiction. Why do they think this? It poses no social ills and merely ingesting a bit more caffeine stops the withdrawal symptoms–so says Sally Satel in a 2006 article in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol abuse (32:4). I did note that her article was supported by a grant from the American Beverage Association. Hmmmm, I wonder what stake they have in that “finding?”
In 2005, Heather Jones and C.W. Lejuez did a study of personality correlates in those who are caffeine dependant (Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 13:3). They looked at possible relationships between caffeine dependency and sensation seeking, impulsivity, and risk taking. Only Sensation seeking had a positive relationship with heavy caffeine drinkers. I suspect that our love for arousal and the sensation of the drink suggests that we give in to the impulse for one more cup, not so much because we are trying to avoid the pain of withdrawal but because we desire the rush.
Whatever. I’m just glad its part of God’s creation and that it wasn’t the tree He said was not for our consumption.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
Griffin Edwards, in his book Matters of Substance (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/031233883X/), says that whether or not Caffeine is addictive is not important, because caffeine consumption never becomes epidemic. We may spend outrageous amounts of money on coffee, but lives aren’t being ruined.
Amen to that!
Whatever happened to idolatry, i.e. desiring things, even good things, more than Jesus, the lover of our souls? It strikes me that our spiritual lives stand in the way of being ruined, at the very least stagnating, when the motivation for our third or fourth cup of coffee is the “rush” that seems to take the edge off of a boring afternoon wading through stacks of papers on our desks (or whatever our “triggers” may be.) Rather than furthering our relationships with our favorite coffee mugs, shouldn’t we be seeking to further our relationships with Jesus through prayerful conversation? Hmmm, there might even be extra money left over at the end of the week to put to better use in His Kingdom.
PJ, I would think that caffeine isn’t the idol but it might be the means to it. The idol might be boredom reduction, but it might well be saying yes to too many opportunities due to people pleasing. However, I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that drinking coffee has to stand in the way of having a healthy relationship with Jesus.
Not to belabor the point, but “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Co. 10:31). Coffee, sports, TV . . . None of it has to be a hindrance to a rich relationship with Jesus. I didn’t say that it was, absolutely and always. However, if I have a pattern of using multiple trips to the coffee pot to get a buzz to avoid boredom rather than praying for grace and perseverance to be faithful in my duties thereby glorifying God, then that could be a problem.
I enjoy a good cup of coffee, too, especially the stuff I get directly from Costa Rica! Blessings to you!
lol I just don’t see the addiction, I spent most of my life drinking at least 2 cokes a day, usually 3 or more but when I turned 17 and got into bodybuilding I realised I needed to kick the habbit because soda is empty calories, bam I did it like nothing none of these withdrawal symptoms people swear you will get from stopping caffeine. These days I only drink about 2-3 sodas every 7 days when I go out to eat my “cheat meal” that I do weekly, I also drink a cup of black cofee once in a blue moon, maybe 1-2 mugs every 2-3 months if even that, hardly addicting I say but then again maybe I’m just gifted in that respect.
I think fast food poses a much bigger threat to americans, that stuff is loaded with empty calories, you try to get enough protein to build muscle from a fast food diet and you will wind up obese. The reason is because when you’re hungry your muscles are craving protein, not calories, try eating healthy low cal high protein meals for awhile and you will see that you get full for less than half the cals it takes to get full off fast food. Smoking is a much bigger concern as well mainly because that affects those around you, no I’m not speaking for you people who get butt hurt walking by a smoker in public. I mean kids like I used to be who have to grow up living with smoking addicts, smoking makes for a very un-pleasant un-healthy living enviroment. I think smokers living with their kids should be Illegal until they kick the habbit.