High-Risk Alcohol Use Associated with Past 30-Day Energy Drink Use

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship of past 30-day energy drink consumption and measures of high-risk alcohol use. Participants included a sample of college students (N = 557) who completed a validated survey measuring the relationship of past 30-day energy drink and alcohol use. Past 30-day energy drink use was related to multiple high-risk alcohol behaviors including increased frequency of consumption, intoxication, heavy episodic drinking, and number of alcoholic drinks per occasion during the past 30-days (p<.001; r>0.26). Energy drink users reported consuming alcohol nearly twice as many days as non-energy drink users. Prevention initiatives should address the misuse of alcohol, while seeking to limitenergy drink use.