Can energy drinks lead to future drug and alcohol addiction?

College students who often consume energy drinks are more at risk of forming an alcohol addiction, using cocaine, or misusing prescription stimulants by the age of 25, according to a new study. The paper — funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health — asked over 1,000 college students about their habits concerning the past-year consumption of highly caffeinated energy drinks. In a three-year span, the participants were interviewed annually. Researchers observed whether their energy drink consumption decreased, increased or remained steady, and at the five-year mark, the subjects were evaluated again for drug use in the past year. The researchers discovered an increased likelihood of alcohol addiction, prescription drug misuse, and cocaine use in groups that revealed increasing or consistent probabilities of energy drink use over the time period. These groups were previously categorized based on their energy-drinking habits. “Intermediate” and “persistent” groups who drank energy drinks consistently were the most at-risk. The groups were not gathered based on the level of consumption, but rather on their consistency of consumption. Although the data is in line with similar animal-based studies that suggest caffeine can influence future drug use, this research does not confirm energy drinks as a direct cause. The results remained accurate regardless of how often — frequently, occasionally or infrequently — students drank these beverages. In a direct response to the study, the American Beverage Association released a statement that emphasized the safety of energy drinks and mentioned the extensive government studies that affirm their safety. “Nothing in this study counters this well-established fact," the association added. Long-term effects aren’t the only concerns — beverages with excessive amounts of caffeine also have short-term effects. For example, drinking more than four cups of brewed coffee a day can result in muscle spasms, irritability, speeding heart-rate, severe headaches, upset stomach, and restlessness at night. The Mayo Clinic says the daily consumption of up to 400 milligrams of caffeine “appears” to be safe. This amount is found in about... (continue reading) 10 cans of soda, two energy shot drinks, or four cups of coffee. The caffeine amounts in these comparisons can vary drastically, especially with energy drinks, the clinic clarified. They also emphasized the dangers of caffeine use in children and urged adolescents to minimize their intake; alcohol and other substances should not be mixed with caffeine either. The Mayo Clinic encourages pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant to seek professional guidance about limiting their use of caffeine.

Can energy drinks lead to future drug and alcohol addiction?

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