Caffeine fading: Behavioral treatment of caffeine abuse

Despite growing concern over the possible pathogenic effects of caffeine, relatively few systematic attempts have been made to assist chronic abusers to reduce intake to more moderate and safer levels. While previous studies have been based on observation of single subjects, the present investigation employed a factorial experimental design to examine the efficacy of caffeine fading among groups of high-caffeine users. Twenty-seven subjects were assigned to three equal-sized groups: self-initiated treatment, caffeine fading, and caffeine fading plus relaxation. Results confirmed the efficacy of caffeine fading (a treatment regimen involving a series of prescribed step-wise reductions in criterion rate of caffeine intake). However, no firm conclusions were permitted concerning possible further benefits arising from the addition of relaxation training.