Caffeine, this chemical may in fact be the most useful tool for Neuqua’s students, as well as the most addictive. Some consider it a drug, others a life-force, but one thing is certain, many students rely on caffeine to get them through the day. There are numerous reasons why student rely on this “drug”; whether students did not get enough sleep the night before, enjoy the taste, or simply need caffeine, regardless of the amount of sleep they get. Now, when people think of caffeine addictions, they most likely picture the various energy drinks, for example: Monsters, Rock Stars, Red Bulls, and Spike Shooters. It is not uncommon to see the different coffee drinks clutched in jittery hands of the numerous students who visit Caribou Coffee and Starbucks each morning.
This type of caffeine addict is even worse; this “species” often distinguishes themselves between them and the ones who rely solely on energy drinks. If approached, these addicts will become extremely defensive, and may even become violent. CAUTION; be sure to make no sudden movements when approaching them, or else one will have to avoid a kick from their UGG boots, which are the common choice for shoes among these people.
There are numerous steps that can be taken in order to combat this growing epidemic. When helping a friend, kicking the “stuff”, it is extremely important to surround them with people that they are hurting because of their addiction. Not too mention, make sure that the friend does not go completely “cold turkey”, but instead, have them drink smaller and smaller amounts of caffeine to ensure that they do not completely crash. Scientists have yet to create a patch for caffeine addicts, so the caffeine addict will have to get clean the “old fashion way”.
Caffeine can be a student’s greatest ally and their greatest enemy in the fight that awaits them in high school. The old saying “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” does not hold true when applying it to teens and caffeine.
By Derek Hickey, sports editor
Photo by Lucas Giolas, photo editor
