Do You Have an Energy Drink Addiction?

When waking up in the morning is difficult, energy drinks can come to the rescue. It can feel like taking a huge adrenaline hit and getting lots of energy to start the day. However, when a person cannot wake up without drinking an energy drink or continues to drink more than necessary and cannot stop, it may indicate addiction. Find out the signs of addiction.

Energy Drinks

The popularity of energy drinks has skyrocketed and so has the occurrence of energy drink addiction. It is estimated as much of 50% of young adults consume energy drinks on a regular basis and demographic that increases its energy drink use the most is adults aged 40 and older. Energy drinks may provide a sugary, caffeine based boost but can also be dangerous.

Caffeine Addiction

Energy drink addiction is addiction to caffeine. If a person cannot function without a cup of coffee or an energy drink in the morning or a headache is nothing, it means the body is addicted to caffeine. Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can occur. The average 16-oz cup of coffee has 170 mg of caffeine. The symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Inability to concentrate
• Sleepiness
• Muscle tension
• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Nausea

Withdrawal may start 12-24 hours after caffeine is stopped and reach peak about 12-48 hours later. It may take a week or more for symptoms to abate.

Dangers

The dangers of energy drinks are based on the high level of caffeine. Many energy drinks have between 100 mg to 200 mg of caffeine per serving. One of the energy drinks with the most concentrated caffeine content can contain 350 mg of caffeine. The problem with energy drinks is many people don’t realize the amount of caffeine consumed with several drinks a day. Energy drink addiction can cause:

• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Headaches
• Increased or irregular heartbeat
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Delirium
• Muscle trembling
• Vomiting

Caffeine mixed with alcohol can cause dangerous scenarios of intoxication mixed with decreased awareness of impairment. A person may feel less drunk but the person is more drunk. The trend towards emergency room visits has increased greatly as the popularity becomes more popular. People must be aware of the risks of consuming too much caffeine. People need to be aware of how much caffeine is in energy drinks consumed and track daily caffeine intake. An extra boost may be too high but can progress to dangerous territory quickly. Alleviating the amount of energy drinks consumed can go a long way towards helping a person move past addiction.

Sustain Recovery provides help to adolescents who need support for addiction through treatment programs. Clients who need short or longer term solutions are able to be given the help needed on an individual basis. Call us to find out more on how we can help your adolescent through recovery.