Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ) Test

The Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ) is a research-informed screening instrument designed to assess problematic patterns of caffeine consumption. Although caffeine is socially accepted, widely marketed, and legally unrestricted, a growing body of scientific evidence shows that excessive or compulsive use can lead to clinically meaningful symptoms. These symptoms include physiological dependence, withdrawal effects, impaired self-control, and disruption of daily functioning. Because caffeine use is often normalized and even encouraged in work and social environments, these problems can go unrecognized or be dismissed as harmless habits.

The conceptual foundation of the CUDQ is rooted in substance use disorder criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), where caffeine use disorder is identified as a condition warranting further study. This inclusion reflects decades of pharmacological and behavioral research demonstrating that caffeine acts on the central nervous system in ways comparable to other psychoactive stimulants. Researchers developing the CUDQ adapted established substance use criteria to reflect the unique characteristics of caffeine, focusing on patterns of behavioral control, tolerance, withdrawal, and continued use despite negative consequences rather than on dosage alone.

The questionnaire consists of a set of symptom-based items referring to experiences over the past 12 months. Each item captures a distinct diagnostic dimension, such as unsuccessful efforts to reduce intake, consuming caffeine to relieve withdrawal symptoms like headaches or fatigue, escalating consumption due to tolerance, or continued use despite known physical, psychological, or social harm. By asking respondents to reflect on frequency and impact, the CUDQ moves beyond simplistic measures of how much caffeine someone consumes and instead examines how caffeine use affects functioning and well-being.

Importantly, the CUDQ emphasizes functional impairment and subjective distress. Two individuals may consume similar amounts of caffeine, yet only one experiences loss of control, significant discomfort, or interference with responsibilities. The questionnaire is designed to capture this distinction by focusing on consequences and lived experience rather than socially defined norms of “acceptable” use. This approach aligns with contemporary clinical perspectives that view substance-related problems as existing along a continuum rather than as all-or-nothing conditions.

The CUDQ is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis. Instead, it functions as a structured self-assessment tool that supports reflection and awareness. In both research and clinical settings, it has been used to identify individuals who may benefit from further evaluation, monitoring, or behavioral adjustments. High scores do not imply pathology, but they do suggest that caffeine use may be contributing to inconvenience, suffering, or impairment in everyday life.

By presenting clinically grounded questions in a standardized format, the CUDQ underscores that caffeine-related problems are real, measurable, and variable in severity. It encourages evidence-based self-reflection rather than moral judgment, recognizing that difficulty regulating caffeine intake can arise even among otherwise healthy, high-functioning individuals. In doing so, the questionnaire helps bring greater nuance and scientific clarity to a substance often assumed to be risk-free.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
• Meredith, S. E., Juliano, L. M., Hughes, J. R., & Griffiths, R. R. (2013). Caffeine use disorder: A comprehensive review and research agenda. Journal of Caffeine Research, 3(3), 114–130.
• Budney, A. J., & Emond, J. A. (2014). Caffeine dependence and withdrawal. Current Psychiatry Reports, 16, 1–8.