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Modern addiction specialists don't fetishize physical addiction the way many lay people do. What really characterizes "addiction" is problematic usage, i.e. con

Modern addiction specialists don't fetishize physical addiction the way many lay people do. What really characterizes "addiction" is problematic usage, i.e. continued use in the face of adverse consequences. Most (all?) caffeine users do not suffer adverse behavioral or physical consequences. That's really the distinction that matters.

beckingz 7y ago
Don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee. \s Don't talk to me until I've eaten this mug.
s_y_n_t_a_x 7y ago
Stimulants, including caffeine, cause irritability among other bad side-effects. The only reason it's not characterized by these "modern addiction specialists", whatever that is, is because of both $$$ and how socially acceptable it is. Since you can get your caffeine fix in anyway for really cheap (or not so cheap if you want) and you can drink it at work without any weird looks it doesn't destroy your social life. Just because it doesn't destroy your social life doesn't mean it's not addictive, but I guess that's just the layman in me.
- dionidium 7y ago
  > The only reason it's not characterized by these "modern addiction specialists", whatever that is As a sort of meta point, every time I use the phrase "modern addiction specialist" in a thread somebody responds expressing skepticism that such a thing exists or that the definition of addiction I've provided reflects consensus opinion. This is...weird. The American Psychiatric Association leads their "What is Addiction?" page with the following text: "Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence." https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-is-addiction https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-...
LeoTinnitus 7y ago
Yes and thats my rationale as well. People get so uptight about the phrase addiction that they assume it means it's bad. Addiction is only bad when it interferes with other parts of your life that it shouldn't. Also I've found most people rely on it for its performance enhancing aspect which I'd argue is why it can be addictive for most people. I for one am more prone to quit coffee in the summer than in the winter simply because of the temperature outside.

beckingz 7y ago

Don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee. \s Don't talk to me until I've eaten this mug.

s_y_n_t_a_x 7y ago

Stimulants, including caffeine, cause irritability among other bad side-effects. The only reason it's not characterized by these "modern addiction specialists", whatever that is, is because of both $$$ and how socially acceptable it is. Since you can get your caffeine fix in anyway for really cheap (or not so cheap if you want) and you can drink it at work without any weird looks it doesn't destroy your social life. Just because it doesn't destroy your social life doesn't mean it's not addictive, but I guess that's just the layman in me.

dionidium 7y ago
> The only reason it's not characterized by these "modern addiction specialists", whatever that is As a sort of meta point, every time I use the phrase "modern addiction specialist" in a thread somebody responds expressing skepticism that such a thing exists or that the definition of addiction I've provided reflects consensus opinion. This is...weird. The American Psychiatric Association leads their "What is Addiction?" page with the following text: "Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence." https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-is-addiction https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-...

LeoTinnitus 7y ago

Yes and thats my rationale as well. People get so uptight about the phrase addiction that they assume it means it's bad. Addiction is only bad when it interferes with other parts of your life that it shouldn't. Also I've found most people rely on it for its performance enhancing aspect which I'd argue is why it can be addictive for most people. I for one am more prone to quit coffee in the summer than in the winter simply because of the temperature outside.