Is caffeine addictive?

Caffeine does not present the compelling physical, mental and emotional health risks of typical addictive substances, but it does present some of the physical dependence associated with addiction, according to WebMD. LiveScience notes that a person normally experiences withdrawal symptoms for a short time after quitting caffeine.

Caffeine does not seem to cause people to engage in the risky behaviors that they often might to get a hold of other addictive drugs or substances, reports WebMD. However, a person who drinks even one or two cups of coffee daily may experience headaches, lack of concentration, fatigue and anxiety for one or two days after stopping.