Energy drinks and alcohol combo develops drinking disorder

Alcohol consumption has become quite common in teenagers. Researchers have found that teenagers who mix alcohol with energy drinks are four times more likely to face a drinking problem disorder than those who have tried alcohol but never mixed it with an energy drink.

James D. Sargent, MD, of the Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H., and colleagues examined a sample of more than 3,3000 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 23 years old. Near one in 10 of those between 15 and 17 years old them 9.7% had an energy drink mixed with alcohol. Analyses showed that group to have greatly increased odds of not just binge drinking, but also clinically defined criteria for alcohol use disorder.

"Abusive alcohol use among adolescents is a dangerous behaviour that can lead to injury, chronic alcohol use and abuse, and even death," said Emond.

"Identifying those most at risk for alcohol use is critical. Given that this is a sensitive issue, it's possible that clinicians, parents, and educators might open dialogues about alcohol use with adolescents by starting the discussion on the topic of energy drinks."

Dartmouth researchers published the study in the Journal of Pediatrics.

By Lizitha