Re: any alternatives to caffeine that work just as well?

Per a reputable medical guide I have, angelica, astragalus, and high-potency multivitamins can all help address fatigue. You might want to do a Google search on those two herbs. Info on ginseng below.

A stimulant which occurs naturally in a number of foods, caffeine is a perfectly safe stimulant when taken in moderation. Per the Mayo Clinic, "For most people, consuming a moderate amount of caffeine — about 300 milligrams (mg) — is safe. An 8-ounce cup of coffee contains about 85 mg of caffeine. A cup of hot tea contains about 50 mg of caffeine. A 12-ounce can of soda contains about 40 to 55 mg of caffeine."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=17D4E9E0-508B-D3DD-17...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=91CC6E35-BD09-4A6B-BA...