Coffee

The 'focused & awake'-bit--I think--is just a side-effect ... something that can also be acheived by 'effectively breathing.' Truly, the coffee aids your immune-system somehow.

Considering increased focus and energy are what people are after when they ingest caffeine, they would be primary effects, not side effects.

I never used to drink coffee until I started working at my current job. A friend of mine would always nag me to make him coffee and so I would end up making myself a cup too. Before long I was addicted to the sudden boost of energy I would feel after drinking a cup. Fast forward a few years, increase my work hours and stress, I'm gulping down at least two energy drinks a day. If I do not I find myself unable to cope and very tired. I think I am definitely dependent on caffeine.

Sure, just like the crutches are what heal the broken leg.

I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at. All I'm trying to point out is that, from a medical standpoint, side effects are effects that are secondary to the intended effects. The intended effects of caffeine are increased focus and energy, so they aren't side effects.

It's true that coffee is addictive, but I don't think it should be considered a drug. I think the word "drug" has a harmful tone associated, and coffee intake may sometimes be beneficial to health. I think the word is, as always, moderation. Coffee affects brain receptors and increases attention, rises our levels of energy and yields an overall well-being sensation. You can read more about it here, among other sites. On the other hand, execessive coffee intake has nefarious effects like stress, tremours or an overall nervous feeling, like it says here.
Bottom line, I think coffee is one of those substances that, if taken with care and moderation, can be helpful and beneficial. Therefore, I don't it falls under the "drug" category.

Your definition of drug is very different from the accepted definition of the word "drug." The definition of a drug isn't something that is harmful, addictive, and can kill you. The definition of a drug is anything that, when taken into the body, causes physiological changes and is not exclusively a food item. Coffee (specifically caffeine), by definition, is a drug. Drugs aren't inherently bad.

You mean "coffee" is NOT a food-item?

It fits 3 of the 5 definitions of "food" given by Dictionary.com! (Of course, 'food' itself might fit the definition of "drug" if one tries to fit them together like that )

It is not exclusively a food item. In addition to that, it is quite clearly a psychoactive stimulant.

I don't remember using the word "definition" in my post. What I meant was the perception that people have about the word.
Take, for example, green tea. Its intake causes several changes at metabolical levels, even if you can't sense them right away. Courtesy of its many components, such as catechins (the most active ones). Should it be considered a drug? Or only when it's psychoactive?
I wasn't talking about the dictionary definiton of "drug", as I think it's easily understood after reading my words. What I was referring to is, I think, one of the great themes this forum adresses, which is "drugs". Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.
But thank you for the clarification on the matter, I really appreciate it. It is very nice to keep learning new things.

It doesn't matter what people's perception of the word is. That shouldn't change what the word means. I'm not entirely sure how the theme of this forum is different from any other type of drugs.