Testing the relations between caffeinated alcohol drinks and problem drinking

Introduction. College student heavy episodic drinking (HED) remains a public health challenge. Understanding college student use of caffeinated alcohol drinks (Alcohol-mixed Energy Drinks – AmED) posed the following research question: ‘are caffeinated alcohol users more likely to be problem drinkers?' Significance. The FDA reported in 2009 that ‘there is no evidence to support the claim that caffeine is "generally recognized as safe" ("GRAS") for use in alcoholic beverages.' With the already recognized risks of HED by college students, AmED use requires further investigation. Methods. A random sample of 495 college students at a Midwestern campus completed an anonymous and voluntary survey that measured problem drinking using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and AmED measures. A linear regression model tested whether those who used AmED had a higher AUDIT score than those who did not use AmED. Results. The adjusted R-squared value for the model was .3454. Accounting for multiple covariates, those who consumed more AmED were more likely to have a higher AUDIT score than those who consumed less or none AmED (p < .0001). Also, being male and living off campus were statistically associated with having a higher AUDIT score (p = .0006 and p = .0003). Conclusions. Using AmED predicts problem drinking risk. Females are less likely to consume energy drinks and/or AmED, and less likely to have a higher AUDIT score. Being off campus increases the risk of drinking AmED and having a higher AUDIT score.