Alcoholic energy drinks causing concern
14 November 2011
Drinking alcohol mixed with caffeine-containing energy drinks (AEDs) has become "normalised" in Australia, research suggests.
Ten young Australians who regularly consumed more than 2 AEDs per drinking session and 12 key informants, including paramedics, were interviewed as part of a pilot study.
The drinkers reported having one to 2 AEDs as a "booster" at the start of a night's alcohol consumption with a total of 3 to 5 AEDs over the evening - and this was not confined to nightclubs.
"Participants noted that they enjoyed drinking AEDs in the home, at local suburban pubs, and also in city bars and clubs," according to the study funded by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE).
"When asked how many of their friends consumed AED, interviewees reported between 50 [and] 100 per cent.
"One of the main themes that arose from interviews was that combining energy drinks and alcohol is now a normalised phenomenon."
Paramedics reported while total alcohol intake remained the prime concern, AED "played some role in keeping people awake longer and enabling them to drink more".
There were anecdotal reports of AED consumers presenting with high blood pressure and short-term anxiety, leading some to wrongly conclude their drink had been "spiked" with a drug.
International research suggests AED consumers were also at higher risk of passing out, unprotected sex, taking advantage of someone or being taken advantage of sexually, travelling in a car with a drunk driver or becoming involved in a fight.
Western Australia is the only Australian state to have introduced a ban on the sale of AED in licensed venues after midnight, the researchers said.
"In America last year the US Food and Drug Administration moved to ban premixed alcohol and energy drinks," FARE chief executive Michael Thorn said.
"We are just starting to come to terms with the potential problems with such drinks, and in light of the overseas experience we strongly believe governments need to take action."
FARE called for a ban on pre-mixed alcohol and energy drinks and for energy drinks to carry warning labels about the potential harms associated with mixing them with alcohol.
The research was due to be presented at the annual conference of the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) in Hobart (13-16 Nov 2011).
Last Reviewed: 14 November 2011
