Is there a misplaced focus on AmED? Associations between caffeine mixers and bar patron intoxication

Thombs, Dennis L.; Rossheim, Matthew E.; Barnett, Tracey E.; Weiler, Robert M.; Moorhouse, Michael; Coleman, Blair

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.014

Cited by 51 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Unfortunately, consuming these mixtures has been associated with increases in emergency room visits (SAMHSA, 2011; SAMHSA, 2013), suggesting that consumption of these drinks can be dangerous. Mixing caffeinated beverages and alcohol is not a new practice nor is it limited to energy drinks since other caffeinated drinks like colas are also popular mixers with alcohol (Rossheim and Thombs, 2011; Thombs et al , 2011). However, many energy drinks typically have more caffeine per serving than other caffeinated beverages, ranging widely from 50 to 500 mg total caffeine per package (Heckman et al , 2010; Reissig et al , 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitization and Tolerance Following Repeated Exposure to Caffeine and Alcohol in Mice

May

Haun

Griffin

2015

Alcohol Clin Exp Res

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Introduction Energy drinks are popular mixers with alcohol. While energy drinks contain many ingredients, caffeine is an important pharmacologically active component and is generally present in larger amounts than in other caffeinated beverages. In these studies, we investigated the hypothesis that caffeine would influence the effects of alcohol (ethanol) on conditioned taste aversion, ataxia and locomotor activity after repeated exposure. Methods Four groups of mice were exposed by oral gavage twice daily to vehicle, ethanol (4 g/kg), caffeine (15 mg/kg), or the ethanol/caffeine combination. Conditioned taste aversion to saccharin and ataxia in the parallel rod task were evaluated after 8 or 16 gavages, respectively, using ethanol (1–3 g/kg) or ethanol/caffeine (3mg/kg + 2 g/kg) challenges. In addition, locomotor activity was evaluated initially and after repeated exposure to oral gavage of these drugs and doses. Results Repeated oral gavage of ethanol produced significant locomotor sensitization, with those mice increasing total distance traveled by 2-fold. The locomotor response to caffeine, while significantly greater than vehicle gavage, did not change with repeated exposure. On the other hand, repeated gavage of caffeine/ethanol combination produced a substantial increase in total distance traveled after repeated exposure (~4-fold increase). After repeated ethanol exposure, there was significant tolerance to ethanol in the conditioned taste aversion and parallel rod tests. However, neither a history of caffeine exposure nor including caffeine influenced ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. Interestingly, a history of caffeine exposure increased the ataxic response to the caffeine/ethanol combination and appeared to reduce the ataxic response to high doses of ethanol. Conclusion The data support the general hypothesis that repeated exposure to caffeine influences the response to ethanol. Together with previously published work, these data indicate that caffeine influences some ethanol-related behaviors, notably locomotion and ataxia, but appears not to influence the expression of conditioned behaviors.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitization and Tolerance Following Repeated Exposure to Caffeine and Alcohol in Mice

May

Haun

Griffin

2015

Alcohol Clin Exp Res

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“…Consuming alcohol mixed with caffeinated beverages (AmCBs) is associated with reaching higher levels of intoxication (30), engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as driving while intoxicated, and experiencing greater adverse consequences while drinking (29). Individuals consuming AmCBs subjectively feel less intoxicated than individuals drinking alcohol alone, but objective behavioral impairments do not differ between these groups (31,32).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurocognitive, psychological and behavioral correlates of binge drinking and use of alcohol with caffeinated beverages in college-aged adults

Watson

Sweeney

Louis

2013

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

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“…Additionally, we hypothesized higher AmED use would be associated with higher rates of physical consequences (e.g. blackout, hangover) based on research showing individuals who consume AmEDs tend to have increases (e.g., sleep difficulties) and decreases (e.g., sedation) in specific physiological symptoms associated with intoxication (Peacock, et al, 2012) and drink larger amounts of alcohol, resulting in higher BACs (Thombs et al, 2011). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Are all alcohol and energy drink users the same? Examining individual variation in relation to alcohol mixed with energy drink use, risky drinking, and consequences.

Mallett¹,

Marzell²,

Scaglione³

et al. 2014

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

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Individuals who consume alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmEDs) have been identified as higher-risk drinkers, as they are more prone to drink increased amounts of alcohol and experience more consequences compared to non-AmED users. The present study examined differential AmED use and alcohol consumption simultaneously as multi-dimensional risk behaviors among AmED users. Students who identified as drinkers and current AmED users (n = 195) completed a web-based survey related to their AmED consumption and typical drinking patterns. Latent profile analysis was used to classify participants into distinct AmED user profiles. Profiles were then compared on AmEd-based cognitive factors (e.g., expectancies, norms) and alcohol-related consequences. Four AmED user profiles emerged: Moderate drinker, low proportion AmEd users (ML); Heavy drinker, low proportion AmED users (HL); Moderate drinker, high proportion AmED users (MH); and Heavy drinker, high proportion AmED users (HH). Membership in higher-proportion AmED groups was associated with more positive AmED expectancies and perceived norms. No significant differences were observed in the amount of consequences endorsed by HL and HHs, however MHs experienced significantly more alcohol-related physical consequences than MLs. This suggests increased use of AmEDs is associated with increased risk of experiencing alcohol related consequences for moderate drinkers. Screening students for AmED use could be used as a novel, inexpensive tool to identify high-risk drinkers for targeted interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and related problems.

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Is there a misplaced focus on AmED? Associations between caffeine mixers and bar patron intoxication

Cited by 51 publications

References 17 publications

Sensitization and Tolerance Following Repeated Exposure to Caffeine and Alcohol in Mice

Sensitization and Tolerance Following Repeated Exposure to Caffeine and Alcohol in Mice

Neurocognitive, psychological and behavioral correlates of binge drinking and use of alcohol with caffeinated beverages in college-aged adults

Are all alcohol and energy drink users the same? Examining individual variation in relation to alcohol mixed with energy drink use, risky drinking, and consequences.

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