Alcohol and society > Alcohol and Energy Drinks

ALCOHOL AND ENERGY DRINKS

A treacherous mix

Energy drinks produce a short-term mental and physical stimulant effect. They generally contain caffeine, taurine (one of the amino acids found in protein) and glucuronolactone (a carbohydrate).

Mixing alcohol and energy drinks is all the rage in bars and night clubs these days. But beware: energy drinks mask the effects of alcohol and can lead to risky behaviour.

Young people seek the stimulant effect of energy drinks to help them stay awake for all-night parties that are liberally laced with alcohol. The danger in mixing energy drinks with alcohol lies in the fact that the two substances have diametrically opposite effects. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, while alcohol is a depressant. Which means the energy drink masks the effects of the alcohol. And that leads people to drink more in order to get the alcohol buzz. Needless to say, that greatly increases the risk of drinking too much alcohol.

Young people who have drunk too much alcohol in combination with energy drinks might

  • feel able to drive, despite their elevated blood-alcohol level;
  • hurt themselves and not be able to accurately assess the gravity of the injury;
  • feel more inclined to engage in sexual activity they would not otherwise consent to.

    ALCOHOL AND ENERGY DRINKS: DON’T GET YOUR KICKS FROM THIS MIX!

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