Energy Drink Consumption and Increased Risk for Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Background-Energy drinks are highly caffeinated beverages that are increasingly consumed by young adults. Prior research has established associations between energy drink use and heavier drinking and alcohol-related problems among college students. This study investigated the extent to which energy drink use might pose additional risk for alcohol dependence over and above that from known risk factors.

Energy Drink Consumption and Associations With Demographic Characteristics, Drug Use and Injury Among Adolescents

“…These findings are consistent with findings from studies of college students that indicate that substance use behaviours tend to cluster within individuals. 7,10,[17][18][19] Although it cannot be determined from these data whether binge drinking and energy drink consumption occurred at the same time, about one third of adolescents who reported binge drinking in the previous month also reported energy drink consumption in the previous week, compared to only 14% of those who did not report binge drinking. This highlights concerns about the practice of mixing energy drinks with alcohol.…”

“…This exceeds general reports that approximately one third of adolescents consume energy drinks, 11 but is generally consistent with prevalence reported among college students. 19 The increasing popularity of energy drinks in the last few years 1,2 would suggest that past-year use found in the current study more accurately reflects current use. Almost 1 in 5 adolescents were found to have consumed energy drinks within the previous week, a general indication of more frequent use.…”

“…The sparse research that has been conducted suggests that the consumption of energy drinks is correlated with heavy alcohol use, licit and illicit drug use, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviours, including fighting and risky sexual behaviours. 7,10,[17][18][19] Much of this research, however, has focused on consumption among college or university students and involves samples that are non-generalizable. 7,10,17 Despite attention from media and regulatory agencies that highlight concerns about energy drinks, there is a gap in the research literature with regard to consumption among adolescents.…”

“…The sparse research that has been conducted suggests that the consumption of energy drinks is correlated with heavy alcohol use, licit and illicit drug use, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviours, including fighting and risky sexual behaviours. 7,10,[17][18][19] ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To examine energy drink consumption and its association with demographic characteristics, drug use, and injury among adolescents. …”

Energy drink use frequency among an international sample of people who use drugs: Associations with other substance use and well-being

“…In regards to risky behaviour, research has indicated that ED consumption is associated with increased alcohol consumption (e.g., Arria et al, 2010;Arria et al, 2011), tobacco consumption (e.g., Friis et al, 2014;Trapp et al, 2014b), nonmedical use of prescription drugs (e.g., Arria et al, 2010;Miller and Quigley, 2011), and illicit drug use (e.g., Terry-McElrath et al, 2014;Trapp et al, 2014b). Based on the pharmacological effects of ED and of alcohol, it has been hypothesised that simultaneous use of EDs with alcohol may promote increased alcohol intake by: i.)…”