Energy drink use by adolescents and emerging adults seeking care in the emergency department: Alcohol, drugs, and other risk behaviors

Abstract

Aims: Consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks by young people presents concerns about the effects on perceived intoxication and risk behaviors. Emergency Department (ED) visits due to energy drinks have risen drastically. Among youth with past-year alcohol use who visited an ED, we assessed frequency of consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks or consuming both on the same occasion (Combined), reasons for and consequences of Combined use, and relationships with drug use and other risk behaviors. Methods: Youth aged14–20 completedpast-year surveys at the ED visit. Among 439 drinkers, mean age was 18.6 years (SD=1.4), 41% were male and 73% were Caucasian. We grouped patients into those who drank alcohol, but not energy drinks (Non-users; 41%, n=178), those who drank alcohol and energy drinks on separate occasions (Separate; 23%, n=103), and those who Combined (36%, n=158). Results: In Combined users, consequences included feeling jittery (71%), trouble sleeping (46%), and increased energy followed by a crash (35%). Reasons for combining were: hiding the flavor of alcohol (39%), liking the taste (36%), and staying awake (32%). Combined users had the highest rates of risk behaviors (e.g., drug use, multiple sex partners, sex after drinking, driving after drinking, alcohol use severity [AUDIT]). Multinomial logistic regression indicated that compared to Non-users, Combined users were more likely to bemale, have had sex after using alcohol/drugs, have used drugs, and have higher AUDIT scores. Combined users, compared to the Separate users, had significantly higher AUDIT scores. Separate users compared to Non-users weremore likely to bemale, and had lower AUDIT scores. Conclusions: Combining energy drinks and alcohol use is a marker for involvement in other risk behaviors among drinking youth. Future longitudinal studies are needed to determine longitudinal relationships of energy drink use on substance use problem trajectories. Financial support: NIAAA 018122.