I'm not what one would called a heavy caffeine user.
I used to regularly drink coffee for about at least half a cup worth a day, up to trice a day. For at least no more than few years give or take.
Usually brown coffee. The coffee and the caffeine worth in it usually varies from straight up black to nearly milk.
That's because I don't drink for the caffeine, but for the flavor.
I also somewhat developed a strange contradiction between addiction, tolerance and sensitivity.
I have a form of sensitivity that definitely affects how my body reacts to caffeine.
At the same time a strange form of tolerance. As if... I still get the sensitivity and became more susceptible to the negative effects, and also no longer helps me.
It doesn't matter if it's caffeine mixed with sugar and/or carbs or just caffeine alone.
Caffeine does not help me not fall asleep anymore.
Instead it gave me drowsy jet lags and shallow like sleep that also gives just as much jet lag like feeling, if caffeine hadn't completely been out of my system.
Caffeine also does not help me keep alert anymore, not without drawbacks.
Instead, whether I get enough or not, I'd just get tremors, restlessness and elevated heart rate. It does not help me concentrate, if anything is somewhat does the opposite. Sometimes I get headaches from it.
Caffeine also no longer help me digest stuff or use as a laxative.
If anything, it's more of a diuretic. Even less recommended for me now that I'm prone to dehydration while trying out anti histamines.
As for addiction, yes, sort of as a habit. And when I decided to quit, I did have withdrawal symptoms.
Usually poor sleep, some pains and fatigue, headaches and cravings for me especially past 2 days of stoping.
Yes, I did not take it easy enough, only that mine isn't severe enough for me to afford to do so.
If I'm taking any caffeine... It'll be to a minimum or at least to a negligent enough amount.
Maybe up to worth 2 cups of caffeinated coffee a week.
But I like the flavor so much. So I'd just be playing around with decaf for a while.