Caffeine addiction is not a matter of how much you drink, but rather, of the effect that it has on your mind and body. And therein lies the problem: most caffeine addicts do not know that they are addicts. The biggest delusion and justification among coffee drinkers is that caffeine helps them to wake up in the morning. In reality, no one really needs caffeine to wake up.

Those who do not consume coffee wake up fresh, well rested, and energetic without it. Coffee drinkers experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms after overnight abstinence and feel "fixed" after a morning dose. It is hard to believe, but all this seemingly unbreakable caffeine dependence can be changed in approximately two weeks.

Coffee or tea in the morning "meditative" ritual can be replaced with a couple of cups of hot water, and if your diet is rich in fiber you will be satisfied with the results. The drawback of using caffeine as a diuretic is also that sooner or later you will increase your dose. You may still drink the same amount of coffee or tea, but you will prepare a progressively stronger brew in order to feel satisfied. Thus, by increasing your caffeine intake, you increase your health risk.

Taken in large amounts, caffeine may also cause premature aging. Keep in mind that caffeine dehydrates the body (this is maybe one of the reasons why heavy coffee drinkers suffer from headaches). And those who especially care about their looks should remember that dehydrated skin looks dry, wrinkled, and unhealthy.

Some addicts cannot recognize the pathological disturbances caused by coffee. Irritability and mood swings, for example, are often symptoms of coffee addiction. The addict himself may not recognize these symptoms, because the traits have been a part of his personality for so long. He believes that his behavior is normal. Family and friends may also not realize that coffee is a mood-altering substance.

A woman may not relate a condition of which she is aware to her coffee intake, whether thought to be excessive or not. For example, she may realize that she has lumps in her breasts, but is unaware that they may be related to her coffee intake.

Many coffee drinkers report that they suffer from severe stomach pains and believe that the discomfort may be caused by coffee consumption. But, because they also enjoy their coffee, they refuse to limit their consumption. They tend to minimize both their intake and its effect on mind and body, a rationalization that helps perpetuate the drug habit.

(Source -- The Truth About Caffeine, Marina Kushner, SCR Books)