Teens using energy drinks three times more likely to use alcohol, other drugs

A new study published in the Feb. 2014 Journal of Addiction Medicine found a strong correlation between the consumption of energy drinks and alcohol or other drug use among teens. The University of Michigan analysis of self-reported data from 8th-12th grade students concluded teens who consumed canned energy drinks or energy shots were three times more likely to smoke cigarettes and marijuana, and consume alcohol and amphetamines.

A follow-up report noted the youngest students had the highest consumption rate of energy drinks and shots compared with the 10th- and 12th-grade students in the study.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also has spoken out against consumption of energy drinks by minors, citing the negative effects of energy drinks on children and underage teens. "Rigorous review and analysis of the literature reveal that caffeine and other stimulant substances contained in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents," the AAP stated.
Energy drinks often contain herbal ingredients, including botanical sources of caffeine, that contribute to the overall average of 80 to 140 mg of total caffeine content. The popular Red Bull energy drink, for example, has 80 mg of caffeine in a 10-ounce can.

While the Michigan researchers reported a higher risk of substance use in teens who drank energy drinks, they were cautious to state their findings don't mean the drinks cause substance use disorders – such as the disease of alcoholism – or that energy drinks were a gateway that directly lead to substance abuse. The study concluded, however, that there's a need for better education on the effects of energy drinks and the possibility that combining them with alcohol, trendy in teen drinking, may be a logical progression for thrill-seekers.

According to lead researcher Yvonne M. Terry-McElrath, "Education for parents and prevention efforts among adolescents should include education on the masking effects of caffeine in energy drinks on alcohol- and other substance-related impairments, and recognition that some groups (such as high sensation-seeking youth) may be particularly likely to consume energy drinks and to be substance users."

Lebanon recently issued a nationwide ban on energy drinks containing alcohol because of potentially severe health outcomes from the way energy drinks (stimulants) mask the warning signs of severe alcohol (depressant) poisoning. In 2012, a JAMA report warned of the health risks (see related examiner article), calling the combination not just risky, but "deadly."

(from examiner.com, see full article)
www.alcohologist.com

Scroll down for the replay of the Dr. Jeanette Gallagher show feature with Scott Stevens. Lucy Pireel's "All That's Written" included a feature on Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud called "When alcohol doesn't work for you anymore."  Details on the third literary award for Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud can be found on www.alcohologist.com, plus the interview with Scott Stevens at Christoph Fisher Books . Fisher is an acclaimed international historical fiction novelist from the UK. 
 

SAVE THE DATE:  Scott Stevens will be part of the opening night symposium for the REEL Recovery Film Festival San Francisco.

SATURDAY REWIND: Mixing alcohol and energy drinks harmful

There's been a lot of ink this week on the dangers of mixing energy drinks like Monster or Red Bull with alcohol: Red Bull and vodka has been a meat-market bar staple for more than a decade.
The warnings are not rocket science, because energy drinks are stimulant-loaded and alcohol is a depressant.  And the warnings are not new.  As this piece from the alcohol research news archive points out, JAMA gave physicians an official heads-up about the toxic mix a year ago.


Commentaries published December 19 (2012) online in the Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA suggest negative health effects from excessive consumption of caffeine, especially in conjunction with alcohol.

One commentary details the health effects of alcohol mixed with energy drinks, including premixed "alcopop" drinks, such as the 12-percent-alcohol Four Loko, and self-mixing of highly caffeinated energy drinks with various types of alcohol. (See the related article on alcopops .)

Citing surveys showing up to 56 percent of college students mixing energy drinks with alcohol, the authors established the potential for public health consequences for this recreational use of energy drinks, which often contain herbal ingredients, including botanical sources of caffeine that contribute to the overall average of 80 to 140 mg of total caffeine content. The popular Red Bull energy drink, for example, has 80 mg of caffeine in a 10-ounce can.

At issue are concerns the caffeine counters the sedating and intoxicating effects of alcohol, thereby impairing judgment relative to risky behavior. JAMA concluded the scientific evidence on the alcohol/energy drink combination’s effects "on perceived intoxication and sedation has been inconsistent," but noted mixing alcohol with energy drinks has been correlated to "increased risk for negative consequences of drinking."

Take 18-year-old college student Danny Hummel, for example. He died of acute alcohol poisoning. Hummel's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) exceeded .40, eight times the limit considered too impaired to drive. His family attorney reported he also had several energy drinks prior to drinking. Without the energy shots, the attorney claims, Hummel would have “puked or passed out” long before reaching such a lethal BAC.

The JAMA report acknowledges action by state and federal officials against energy drinks containing alcohol help increase awareness and help marketers of these products, and most young people will continue to mix energy drinks and alcohol. "Thus, it is important that policy makers, parents, university administrators, health care professionals and consumers of alcohol mixed energy drinks have accurate information regarding the drinks as a public health danger," they advised.

In addition to the commentaries, JAMA also published a Patient Page containing information on the energy drink market, including common ingredients, caffeine content of various known energy drink brands, and some health risks associated with energy drink use — increased heart rate, palpitations blood pressure, sleep disturbances, urine production and blood sugar.with the disease of alcoholism. (Related: What's the difference between alcohol abuse, alcoholism?)

-- from examiner.com (see full article)
www.alcohologist.com

Details on the third literary award for Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud, plus the new radio interview replay is available at alcohologist.com... and please read the new interview with Scott Stevens at Christoph Fisher Books.  Mr. Fisher is an acclaimed international historical fiction novelist from the UK.