According to a study, teenagers who mix alcohol with energy drinks are four times more likely to face a drinking problem disorder than those who have tried alcohol but never mixed it with an energy drink.

The Dartmouth team, led by James D. Sargent, MD with first author Jennifer A. Emond, MSc, PhD published "Energy drink consumption and the risk of alcohol use disorder among a national sample of adolescents and young adults," in Journal of Pediatrics. Several studies have documented a link between consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks and the increased rates of negative outcomes while drinking, including binge drinking.

The research team looked at a sample of 3,342 adolescents and young adults aged 15-23 years old recruited across the US. Around 9.7 percent of adolescents aged 15-17 years old had consumed an energy drink mixed with alcohol. Analyses showed that group to have greatly increased odds of not just binge drinking, but also clinically defined criteria for alcohol use disorder.

"Abusive alcohol use among adolescents is a dangerous behaviour that can lead to injury, chronic alcohol use and abuse, and even death," said Emond. "Identifying those most at risk for alcohol use is critical. Given that this is a sensitive issue, it's possible that clinicians, parents, and educators might open dialogues about alcohol use with adolescents by starting the discussion on the topic of energy drinks."

Many previous searches have proved increasing odds of alcohol drinking by teens, but from this study, binge drinking in combination with energy drinks have proved drinking disorder. So, experts advise not to drink alcohol mixing with energy drinks. 

By Lizitha