On an average morning, you can find me in line at the campus Starbucks for my daily coffee.

I am one of millions in my age demographic who have a caffeine dependency. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world. Should daily use of this stimulant be this widely accepted?

Luckily, consuming under 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is generally safe and can even have some health benefits. However, excessive caffeine usage can lead to a variety of side effects including insomnia, nervousness, heart complications and muscle tremors, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can become a serious problem if someone struggles with caffeine use disorder and requires more caffeine than average to feel alert.

Additionally, caffeine consumption by means of coffee and energy drinks can pose additional health risks. Coffee and energy drinks are both acidic, which potentially can lead to enamel erosion according to the NIH.

Sweet caffeinated drinks from Starbucks and Dunkin’ and energy drinks like Red Bull also commonly contain double the daily recommended amount of sugar. This high sugar content combined with high acidity can lead to tooth decay. High sugar intake alone can lead to obesity, heart disease, kidney diseases and more according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Even more health issues arise when caffeine is used as a replacement for sleep. Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep a day. When caffeine is used to extend the amount of time spent awake, it can lead to sleep deprivation. According to the Cleveland Clinic, lack of sleep can lead to short-term problems like impaired memory and poor quality of life and long-term problems like diabetes, heart attack or stroke.

Although the stimulant caffeine is not inherently harmful in smaller doses, poor dietary and sleep habits often coincide with caffeine addiction.

When we normalize or even trivialize the effects of daily coffee consumption, many may not realize these potential dangers. Drug addiction, regardless of substance severity, should never be normalized. Luckily, you can limit the negative consequences of caffeine addiction.

Using a straw and rinsing your mouth after drinking a caffeinated beverage can prevent dental issues. Drinking black or unsweetened coffee and tea reduces sugar intake. The NIH also recommends that caffeine should be consumed over six hours before going to bed to reduce sleep disturbances.

Like most treats in our diet, coffee and tea can be safe as long as we know the risks and consume in moderation.