Athletes and Energy Drinks: Reported Risk-Taking and Consequences from the Combined Use of Alcohol and Energy Drinks

This study measured athletes’ alcohol, energy drink, and combined-use. It also compared athletes’ reported risk-taking and consequences while using alcohol-only and in combination with energy drinks. From the total sample of 401 intercollegiate student-athletes, 315 (78%) used alcohol, 150 (37%) combined alcohol with energy drinks, and 194 (48%) used energy drinks (EDs) without alcohol. Ninety-two percent of drinkers participated in binge drinking. Sixty-one percent of combined users participated in high risk “energy binge” drinking episodes (using 3+ EDs on one occasion). Results indicated combined users (n = 150) consumed significantly more alcohol and had riskier drinking habits (e.g., heavy binge drinking) than athletes who used alcohol only (n = 165). The combined use of alcohol and energy drinks could potentially contribute to increased risk-taking and negative consequences. Results suggest a possible need to include information about energy drinks in existing athlete alcohol education and prevention programs.