Use of Alcohol Mixed With Energy Drinks as a Predictor of Alcohol-Related Consequences Two Years Later

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective:This study examines the use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) as a predictor of alcohol problems and alcohol-related consequences and accidents two years later in a college student sample. Method: Longitudinal data on AmED use, alcohol consequences, and alcohol problems were collected from the fall of students' second year of college to the fall of their fourth year (N = 620, 49% male). Results: After we controlled for demographic indicators and heavy episodic drinking, AmED use was a consistent predictor of negative alcohol-related outcomes 2 years later. Compared with no AmED use, both infrequent (i.e., one to three times per month) and frequent (i.e., one or more times per week) AmED use were associated with an increased risk of negative alcohol consequences and harmful/hazardous alcohol use ( 8 on Alcohol Use Disorders Identifi cation Test [AUDIT]). Frequent AmED use was also associated with serious alcohol problems ( 16 on AUDIT) and an increased risk of alcohol-related accidents in the subsequent 2 years. Conclusions: Prospective risks of alcohol consequences related to AmED use suggest a continued need for research and policy to address the surveillance, etiology, and prevention of AmED use. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 75, 753-757, 2014)

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

“…Patrick, Evans‐Polce, & Maggs, conducted a prospective study to examine whether AMED consumption predicted alcohol‐related consequences 2 years later. They found that AMED consumption was associated with significantly increased AUDIT scores, greater alcohol intake, and corresponding negative consequences.…”

Consuming energy drinks at the age of 14 predicted legal and illegal substance use at 16

“…Previous research, mostly cross-sectional and American studies, has examined the possible negative effects of energy drink consumption among adolescents, including associations with the use of other substances, mainly alcohol (3)(4)(5)7,8,10,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). On the one hand, energy drinks may act as a gateway for other addictive and risky behaviours and studies have shown that energy drinks may be the first experience in the substance use hierarchy (3,7,14).…”

Concomitant taurine exposure counteracts ethanol-induced changes in locomotor and anxiety-like responses in zebrafish

“…Although most studies do not investigate the direct interaction of TAU/EtOH, the combined used of EtOH and energy drinks is associated to major health problems. Thus, the combined use of alcohol and energy drinks increases the number and time of drinks consumed, dehydration, and more severe and prolonged hangovers, leading to an increase number of alcohol poisoning reports (Patrick et al 2014;Snipes and Benotsch 2013).…”