Energy Drinks Cause Alcohol Dependence?

[3chelsea]

If you aren't already aware, there's an ever-growing trend out there -- mixing energy drinks with alcohol. Althought not completely proven, it is believed that students who consume many energy drinks run a high risk of creating an alcohol dependency. In a recent study of this, about 1,000 college seniors participated. People often like drinking alcohol with caffeine because it makes them feel like they're ready to take on risky behaviors because the energy drink makes them feel more awake. In reality, they're actaully worse off. The FDA is actually planning on banning caffeine added to alcohol (in drinks like Four Loko) to try and halt this trend. Out of the students in the study, two-thrids reported having an energy drink (usually Red Bull) in the past year; half said they have one once a month or less; 10% said they have them weekly; and 3% said they have them daily.

I don't know about any of you, but I love my Red Bull. If I could, I would be among those 3% that drink it daily. In reality, I'm not allowed to because of my stomach problems and so I only have it a few times a month. But do I think drinks like Red Bull would increase your chances of alcohol dependency? I don't drink alcohol so I'm not going to say it for sure does, but I could definately see where becoming addicted to the caffeine in energy drinks could make you addicted to alcohol. I can REALLY see people getting addicted to alcohol easier when they mix it with energy drinks. And as for the FDA wanting to ban the drinks that are already mixed? Yeah, it's a good start, but it's not going to stop people from buying a few beers and a Red Bull or Monster or whatever they like and mixing it.


LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/16/energy.drinks.alcohol.health/index.html?hpt=Sbin

[8jena]

wow thats crazy idk about that. it really doesnt even sound good cuz energy drinks dont ahve a great flavor in my opinion

[4john]

you pry shouldnt do that cause energy drinks make your heart race and alcohol settle your heart down so if you mix em then you will have like irregular heart and what not.

[4Shannon]

I don't necessarily agree with this study because, and this is my opinion, that people who drink alcohol and energy drinks usually end up mixing them together because it gives them a better buzz. It makes it more dangerous because the energy drinks have tons of caffeine in them and they are sweet enough to cover the taste of the alcohol and then it gets bad because the alcohol actually constricts the bloodflow through your veins and then the caffeine increases your heart rate, giving you a light headed "buzz". Personally I drink monster a decent amount and I'm really not going to go out and get hammered because I drink them.

[3 Josh]

Drinking is bad!

[3evan]

i think that is kind of a dumb thing because not many people drink energy drinks but a lot of kids drink alcohol

[3 austin w]

i would agree with the fda they should ban the caffeine in the drinks

[3Anna]

I really do not like energy drinks i think theyre nasy. and mixing alcohol with them is kind of a bad idea.

[4Nichole]

They shouldnt bann enery drinks... I couldnt live with out them................

[3abby]

This is pretty bad! I love monster but i wouldnt mix it with alcohol. I saw that people mix them with cold medicine and alcohol its terrible!!

[4Catie]

yeah i saw this on the news the other night