Caffeinated alcoholic beverage consumption is associated with binge drinking among Canadian college students

Abstract

Introduction: Binge drinking, characterized by a pattern of excessive alcohol intake on a single occasion, is a growing epidemic among college students. mixing alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks is also increasing in popularity. Caffeine suppresses the user’s ability to accurately assess her level of intoxication and, consequently, the user tends to drink more without realizing the effects. Few studies to date, however, have focused on the association between mixing alcohol with energy drinks and binge drinking. Methods: our study surveyed 221 Canadian college students on their mixing and binge drinking behaviours. We expected to find no significant gender differences in the proportions of both mixers and binge drinkers or in the frequencies of mixing and binge drinking. results: Binge drinkers were more likely to mix than non-binge drinkers, and mixers were more likely to binge drink than non-mixers. additionally, t-test results showed that mixers were more motivated to drink for the sake of getting drunk than non-mixers were. surprisingly, these two groups did not significantly differ in the degree to which they felt risk-related behavioral states when they consumed, even though mixers reported significantly more drinking-related life interference. conclusion: our results demonstrate that preventative programs aimed at reducing high-risk alcohol binge drinking need to consider mixing energy drinks and alcohol intake as a risk factor.