Patterns of use and motivations for consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks.

Abstract

Use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) is an increasingly prevalent trend. However, recent research has suggested that AmED use may result in increased alcohol consumption and engagement in risk behavior postingestion. Although the majority of research has been focused on AmED use outcomes, there is a current paucity of data on the patterns of AmED use and motives for consumption. Four hundred and three participants from an Australian community sample (n = 244 women) ages 18-35 who had consumed alcohol mixed simultaneously with energy drinks (ED) in the preceding 6 months completed an online survey regarding use of EDs, alcohol, and AmED. Although AmED sessions occurred relatively infrequently compared to alcohol sessions, the alcohol and ED quantity consumed in AmED sessions was significantly greater than recommended intake. Reports of AmED use context indicated that participants typically consumed AmED while engaging in heavy drinking in public venues. However, the primary motives for AmED use related to the situational context of use, functional and hedonistic outcomes, as well as the pleasurable taste; few participants reported using AmED to increase alcohol intake, to mask intoxication, to hide alcohol's flavor, or to simulate an illicit drug "high." AmED users may be coingesting in a context and at a quantity that enhances the possibility of risky alcohol outcomes, despite predominantly consuming AmED for the taste and the functional and hedonistic outcomes. Strong endorsement of motives relating to ease of access and low cost price suggests that alcohol policy reform in relation to licensing restrictions may be necessary to minimize the risk of harm.

Survey on Energy Drink Consumption Among the Adult Population in Sicily: Do New Drinking Habits Associate with the Risk of Alcoholism in the Crib of Mediterranean Diet?

“…The effects of the caffeine-alcohol mixture may also expose the consumer to an increased risk of accidents, risk behaviour, and alcohol dependence (8). This practice includes drinking alcoholic cocktails containing energy drinks, premixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages, or alcohol and EDs drunk separately but within the same drinking occasion (31,(35)(36)(37).…”

The Role of Caffeine in the Alcohol Consumption Behaviors of College Students

“…Similar motivations for AmED use have also been endorsed by university-aged AmED users in Australia. 35,36 In the current sample, reasons for alcoholcaffeine use differed by type of alcohol-caffeine beverage usually consumed. For instance, among students who endorsed alcoholcaffeine use to "drink less and get drunk," nearly half preferred ready-to-drink AmEDs.…”

Les liens entre la consommation de boissons énergisantes et la consommation de psychotropes chez les jeunes : que connaissons-nous du phénomène ?

“…Dans une recherche qualitative australienne faite auprès de dix consommateurs de BÉA, les individus ont dit prendre ce type de boisson principalement pour avoir de l'énergie et pour rester éveillés (Pennay & Lubman, 2012). Des universitaires ont aussi mélangé alcool et BÉ afin d'améliorer le goût des boissons alcoolisées (Ballistreri & Corradi-Webster, 2008 ;Brache & Stockwell, 2011 ;O'Brien, McCoy, Rhodes, Wagoner, & Wolfson, 2008 ;Peacock, Bruno, & Martin, 2012a ;Pennay & Lubman, 2012). D'autres consommateurs de BÉA ont ingéré ces boissons pour diminuer les effets négatifs de l'alcool tels que la somnolence (Pennay & Lubman, 2012) (Brache & Stockwell, 2011 ;CCLAT, 2012 ;Marczinski, 2011 ;O'Brien, McCoy, Rhodes, Wagoner & Wolfson, 2008) ou encore pour ressentir l'effet de l'alcool plus rapidement (Brache & Stockwell, 2011 ;CCLAT, 2012 ;Marczinski, 2011 ;Pennay & Lubman, 2012).…”

“…Ces boissons ont été aussi utilisées au lendemain d'une forte consommation d'alcool pour traiter une gueule de bois (Malinauskas, Aeby, Overton, Carpenter-Aeby, & Barber-Heidal, 2007 (Simon & Mosher, 2007). Non combinées à de l'alcool, ces boissons sont ingérées principalement à l'école et au domicile contrairement aux BÉA qui sont surtout consommées lors de sorties entre amis (Brache & Stockwell, 2011 ;CCLAT, 2012 ;Peacock, Bruno & Martin , 2012a). De fait, les BÉA sont utilisées pour faire la fête plus longtemps et pour amé-liorer le goût des boissons alcoolisées (Ballistreri & Corradi-Webster, 2008 ;Brache & Stockwell, 2011 ;Jones et al, 2012 ;O'Brien et al, 2008 ;Peacock et al, 2012a ;Pennay & Lubman, 2012).…”