Typically people didn't start consuming it in beverages until becoming adults due to the 'bitter' taste of Coffee.
With large Soft Drink corporations having falling sales, they seek new markets. The Energy Drink Market is a booming one(see Red Bulls rise). While soda's have had caffeine content and some energy drinks existed(Bawls, Jolt), the new 'wave' of them is something different. Marketed heavily towards young men/teens(Video Games, Extreme Sports, etc).
The Coffee we consume. For most people they drank watered down drip coffee from whatever Fast Food joint. However with faltering Fast Food sales McDonalds especially has sought to enter the 'Cafe' market. By offering stronger 'traditional' Coffee beverages. Such as Lates, Espressos, etc. The article mentioned he had consumed a Late.
There's a lot of this 'oh well I or my friends have been drinking tons more caffeine' in this thread(Top Post). But I suspect that tolerance and dose has been built up over time. Caffeine addiction is real. Withdrawl is also real. Be realistic with yourself and talk to your Doctor and try to fix your sleep, or lifestyle.