The use of caffeinated alcoholic beverages among underage drinkers: Results of a national survey

Abstract

Objective The mixing of alcoholic beverages with caffeine has been identified as a public health problem among college students; however, little is known about the consumption of such drinks among younger adolescents. We estimated the prevalence of caffeinated alcoholic beverage (CAB) use among a wide age range of underage drinkers, examined differences in traditional (i.e. self-mixed alcoholic beverages with soda, coffee and tea) and non-traditional CAB use (pre-mixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages or self-mixed alcoholic beverages with energy drinks or energy shots) among underage drinkers by age and other demographic characteristics, and examined differences in hazardous drinking behavior between CAB and non-CAB users. Methods We used an existing internet panel maintained by Knowledge Networks, Inc. to assess the use of pre-mixed and self-mixed CABs in the past 30 days among a national sample of 1,031 youth drinkers ages 13–20. We conducted logistic regression analyses to estimate the relationship between traditional and non-traditional CAB use and risky drinking behavior as well as adverse outcomes of drinking, while controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and general risk-taking (seat belt use). Results The overall prevalence of CAB use in the sample of underage drinkers was 52.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.4%–57.4%). CAB prevalence was 48.4% among 13–15 year-old drinkers, 45.3% among 16–18 year-old drinkers, and 58.4% among 19–20 year-old drinkers. After controlling for other variables, we found a continuum of risk with non-traditional CAB use most significantly associated with binge drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 6.3), fighting (OR = 4.4), and alcohol-related injuries (OR = 5.6) Conclusions The problem of caffeinated alcoholic beverage use is not restricted to college-aged youth. The prevalence of CAB use among underage drinkers is higher than previously thought and begins in early adolescence. Adolescents who consume CABs, and particularly non-traditional CABs, are at increased risk of adverse outcomes.

Brands matter: Major findings from the Alcohol Brand Research Among Underage Drinkers (ABRAND) project

“…Of note, we found that over half of underage drinkers in our sample reported using caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs) in the past 30 days (Kponee, Siegel, & Jernigan, 2014). We categorized CABs into “traditional” (alcohol mixed with coffee, tea, or soda) and “non-traditional” types (pre-packaged alcoholic energy drinks or alcoholic beverages mixed with caffeine pills, energy drinks, or energy shots).…”

“…Kponee, K. Z., et al (2014). The use of caffeinated alcoholic beverages among underage drinkers: Results of a national survey.…”

Energy Drink Consumption and the Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder among a National Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults

“…Specifically, one national survey reported that regular energy drink use strongly predicted past 30-day alcohol use among 8 th graders (adjusted odds ratio 3.3) and 10 th and 12 th graders (adjusted odds ratios 2.1) 10 . Another study of 13-20 year olds who consume alcohol reported a 6-fold increase in the likelihood of binge drinking among participants who consumed energy drinks, shots, or caffeine pills with alcohol in the past 30 days compared with their peers who did not report such mixed-use 12 . Our study reports a positive association between mixed-use of energy drinks with alcohol and an increased risk of alcohol use disorder as defined by a clinically valid scale (ie, AUDIT) among adolescents and young adults.…”

“…10 Another reported a positive association between ever use of energy drinks mixed with alcohol and binge drinking or alcohol-related fights or injuries. 12 …”

Separate and joint effects of alcohol and caffeine on conflict monitoring and adaptation

“…The practice of mixing caffeine with alcohol has a long history and recently has become particularly popular among younger drinkers (e.g., Howland et al, 2011; Kponee et al, 2014). This practice is motivated, in part, by the belief that caffeine will attenuate the effects of alcohol, allowing the individual to “sober up” more quickly (Marczinski et al, 2013; Verster et al, 2013).…”