Thornaby man says government must take caffeine addiction more seriously
Luke Frost drank up to SIX energy drinks a day and is currently going through withdrawal symptoms.
A Thornaby man who drank up to six energy drinks a day says people must take caffeine addiction more seriously.
25-year-old Luke Frost was drinking up to 3 litres of the high-caffeine drinks a day, the equivalent of 10 cups of instant coffee.
He's now given up the drinks and is finding himself going through withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced when coming off drink and drugs.
The community volunteer started taking comfort in soft drinks as a child when his father passed away.
He quickly graduated to energy drinks, and in the past 16 months he has gained 5st.
The energy drink can contains 160mg of caffeine and 70g of sugar.
Luke says it's about time proper age restrictions were put in place.
He said: "Politicians would rather talk about alcohol, drugs or sugar.
"It's kind of that secret taboo, let's not talk about it.
"But it is an addiction.
"We have age restriction on alcohol and cigarettes becuase they're addictions.
"I feel low, I'm in pain almost every day.
"You mention cold turkey, well this is exactly the same."
Luke is also concerned that low levels of family income can also lead to youngsters buying the drinks as a way to 'fill themselves up'.
Professor Paula Moynihan from Newcastle University says they can actually make you feel worse.
She said: "One can in itself will contain more than the daily maximum amount of sugar that you should be having.
"They're not good for your health, they're not good for your body weight and they're not good for your teeth."