Faster self-paced rate of drinking for alcohol mixed with energy drinks versus alcohol alone.

Abstract

The consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has been associated with higher rates of binge drinking and impaired driving when compared to alcohol alone. However, it remains unclear why the risks of use of AmED are heightened compared to alcohol alone even when the doses of alcohol consumed are similar. Therefore, the purpose of this laboratory study was to investigate if the rate of self-paced beverage consumption was faster for a dose of AmED versus alcohol alone using a double-blind, within-subjects, placebo-controlled study design. Participants (n = 16) of equal gender who were social drinkers attended 4 separate test sessions that involved consumption of alcohol (1.97 ml/kg vodka) and energy drinks, alone and in combination. On each test day, the dose assigned was divided into 10 cups. Participants were informed that they would have a two hour period to consume the 10 drinks. After the self-paced drinking period, participants completed a cued go/no-go reaction time task and subjective ratings of stimulation and sedation. The results indicated that participants consumed the AmED dose significantly faster (by approximately 16 minutes) than the alcohol dose. For the performance task, participants’ mean reaction times were slower in the alcohol conditions and faster in the energy drink conditions. In conclusion, alcohol consumers should be made aware that rapid drinking might occur for AmED beverages thus heightening alcohol-related safety risks. The fast rate of drinking may be related to the generalized speeding of responses following energy drink consumption.

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

“…Marczinski, Fillmore, Maloney, and Stamates () examined the rate of drinking AMED versus AO. In a crossover design, 16 subjects consumed (a) 1.97 ml/kg vodka and 5.91 ml/kg decaffeinated soft drink, (b) 1.97 ml/kg vodka and 5.91 ml/kg energy drink, (c) 5.91 ml/kg decaffeinated soft drink, or (d) 5.91 ml/kg energy drink.…”

Health Effects and Public Health Concerns of Energy Drink Consumption in the United States: A Mini-Review

“…In addition to being consumed alone, ED are frequently mixed with alcohol, with one study in the European Union finding that 71% of young adults report consuming ED with alcohol ( 69 ). This is problematic because individuals who drink alcohol-mixed ED consume more alcohol than if they were drinking alcohol alone ( 70 , 71 ). Researchers attribute this to the fact that consumption of ED masks the signs of alcohol inebriation, enabling an individual to believe they can still safely consume more alcohol, leading to “awake drunkenness” ( 72 ).…”

The association between caffeinated alcoholic beverages and the perpetration of intimate partner violence

“…In addition, caffeine has a priming effect on alcohol craving. Compared to non-caffeinated alcohol, CAB use more strongly reinforces the motivation to continue consuming alcohol (18), resulting in faster consumption (19). Taken with the curious observation that partner violent participants exhibit compensatory behaviors to expected alcohol consumption when administered placebo beverages (20), inaccurate estimates of intoxication following CAB use may diminish any intentional compensatory behaviors that limit partner violent responses to provocation (21).…”