Alcohol mixed with energy drinks: Associations with risky drinking and functioning in high school

Abstract

Background Mixing alcohol with energy drinks is associated with heavier drinking and related problems among college students. However, little is known about how high school drinkers who mix alcohol with energy drinks (AmED) compare to those who do not (AwoED). This study compares high school AmED and AwoED users on their alcohol use during middle and high school, as well as key domains of functioning in high school. Methods Two surveys were conducted three years apart in adolescents initially recruited from 16 middle schools in Southern California. The analytic sample consists of 696 past month drinkers. Multivariable models compared AmED and AwoED users on alcohol use, mental health, social functioning, academic orientation, delinquency and other substance use at age 17, and on their alcohol use and related cognitions at age 14. Results AmED was reported by 13% of past month drinkers. AmED and AwoED users did not differ on alcohol use or cognitions in middle school, but AmED users drank more often, more heavily, and reported more negative consequences in high school. AmED users were also more likely to report poor grades, delinquent behavior, substance use-related unsafe driving, public intoxication, and drug use than AwoED users in high school. Group differences were not found on mental health, social functioning, or academic aspirations. Conclusions AmED use is common among high school drinkers. The higher risk behavioral profile of these young AmED users, which includes drug use and substance use-related unsafe driving, is a significant cause for concern and warrants further attention.

Does early exposure to caffeine promote smoking and alcohol use behavior? A prospective analysis of middle school students

“…Similarly, Tucker et al . found a prospective association between alcohol mixed with energy drinks and substance use 3 years later in a sample of high school students in California. The present study builds upon those findings by including a more complete measure of caffeine consumption, multiple substances and by employing a large sample of early adolescents from socio‐economically diverse regions.…”

Alcohol mixed with energy drink (AMED): A critical review and meta‐analysis

“…Tucker, Troxel, Ewing, and D'Amico () surveyed 696 U.S. high school students at the age of 14 and again at age 17. Only those that reported consuming alcohol were included in the sample.…”

“…Of note, studies using within-subject comparisons among AMED consumers show that driving while intoxicated is significantly less frequently reported for AMED occasions when compared to AO occasions (De Haan et al, 2012;. Tucker, Troxel, Ewing, and D'Amico (2016) surveyed 696 U.S. high school students at the age of 14 and again at age 17. Only those that reported consuming alcohol were included in the sample.…”

Adolescents with better mental health have less problem alcohol use six months later

“…However, use rates in our sample were similar to national norms. In addition, whereas the MHI-5 has been used extensively with other longitudinal studies to predict outcomes in adolescents ranging from age 11–18 years old (D’Amico, Tucker, et al, 2016; Dunbar et al, 2018; Tucker, Troxel, Ewing, & D’Amico, 2016), we are not aware of any extensive validation studies among adolescents to support the validity of the MHI-5 scale (or any specific cut-off). Among adults, a cut-off score of 60 has been shown to have high specificity (0.94) and minimizes misclassification (Error Rate = 17.6) (Kelly et al, 2008).…”