What are the dangers of combining alcohol with caffeine and other stimulants?
Many energy drinks contain substantially higher levels of caffeine than servings of coffee. Stimulants, such as caffeine, mask the intoxicating effects of alcohol, which may lead to increased risk-taking. Young people are more likely to take risks than adults and to suffer high rates of alcohol problems, including alcohol-related traffic accidents, violence, sexual assault, and suicide. In a study conducted at Wake Forest University, researchers found that students who consumed alcohol mixed with energy drinks were twice as likely to be hurt or injured, twice as likely to require medical attention, and twice as likely to ride with an intoxicated driver, as were students who did not consume alcohol mixed with energy drinks. Students who drank alcohol mixed with energy drinks were also more than twice as likely to take advantage of someone else sexually, and almost twice as likely to be taken advantage of.
