300754
Alcohol and Energy Drinks: An Examination of High-Risk Drinking and Driving Behaviors among College Students
METHODS: College students (n=281) from a large mid-western university were surveyed to assess high-risk drinking and driving behaviors. Chi-square analyses and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to examine differences between the AO (n=174) and CU (n=107) groups.
RESULTS: Combined-users were significantly more likely to drive both over the .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) driving limit (CU 53% vs. AO 38%; p=.009) and after knowing they were too drunk to drive (CU 57% vs. AO 44%; p=.025). Past 30 day differences in the number of days driven while drunk were also examined. Results indicated combined-users drove more frequently with 11.6% of combined-users driving 3-7+days while drunk compared to 2.8% of AO consumers (1-2days, AO 6.9% vs. CU 15.5%; 3-4days, 2.3% vs. 5.8%; 5-6days, 0.0% vs. 3.9%; 7+days, 0.0% vs. 1.9%). Combined-users were also more likely to choose to ride with an intoxicated driver while knowing it was unsafe (CU 56% vs. AO 35%; X2 p=.000).
CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests students who combine alcohol and energy drinks exhibit an increased likelihood to drive over the .08 BAC limit, to drive while knowingly drunk, to choose to ride with an intoxicated driver, and to drink considerably more alcohol per heavy drinking episode. Public health professionals should focus prevention and education efforts to reduce these high-risk combined-use behaviors.
Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programsPublic health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Describe differences between alcohol-only and combined-use drinking patterns and behaviors.
Discuss associations between high-risk drinking and driving behaviors and the combined-use of alcohol and energy drinks.
Keyword(s): Behavioral Research, Drug Abuse Prevention and Safety
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal and co-principal investigator on 6 energy drink and alcohol studies over the past 8 years. I have several peer-reviewed publications and national health conference presentations on this topic and have taught qualified continuing education Workshops related to drug prevention and health behavior change. My previous research on this topic has been featured by the American College of Sports Medicine, CNN Health, and many others.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.