I used to not drink caffeine at all, and I was always perplexed by this belief coworkers seemed to have that you simply can't work without caffeine. It's only because your body is used to it and your mind thinks you can't work without caffeine. "How can you do it?" they would ask.

Treat it like a drug. When I do actually have an exceptional need to stay awake and focused late at night, yeah an energy drink can help me keep my eyes on the road for hours without fading or feeling bored. But then if I drink them every day because I like them I do start feeling dependent. Just step yourself down, or go cold-turkey when you have a few days of down time. You can reset yourself fairly quickly.

Same goes for athletic performance. I used to do jiu jitsu regularly and everyone would drink energy drinks right before training or competing. I tried it and it seemed that I could have bursts of exceptional energy but I would drain my batteries a lot faster. Just help your body learn to bring itself up and down on its own. It can do it.