Does Energy Drink Consumption Lead to Alcoholism?

College students who frequently consume energy drinks are more likely to abuse alcohol, a new research study suggests.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland examined the drinking habits of over 1,000 fourth-year college students. They revealed that students who were classified as “high-frequency” energy drink users were significantly more at risk for alcohol dependence than “low-frequency” users,

consuming more than 6 alcoholic beverages on a typical “drinking day” (as opposed to nearly 5 for those who use energy drinks less frequently).

While not necessarily stating that one problem (alcohol or energy drinks) leads to the other, this study shows that college students who consume large amounts of caffeinated energy beverages are an important target group for alcohol-prevention efforts.