Alcoholic Energy Drinks: A Dangerous Sign of the Times

The troubling combination of alcohol and energy drinks has struck again. Nine Central Washingtin University students, all of them freshmen ranging in age from 17 to 19, were hospitalized with alcohol poisoning after drinking an alcoholic energy drink called Four Loko at an off-campus party. In some cases, the blood alcohol levels were at or above levels considered to be lethal. Last month, 23 intoxicated students were hospitalized over the span of a few weeks at northern New Jersey's Ramapo College after drinking Four Loko. Another four students got sick in New York prior to that, all according to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39835017/ns/us_news-life/. Sadly, we were warned way back in May of 2008 by Time Magazine that alcoholic energy drinks are a risky mix. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1810802,00.html How did we get here and what is it going to take to get this dangerous product off the market?

Mixing alcohol with caffeine is really nothing new. Rum & Coke or Kahlua & Coffee are a couple examples of the combination that have been around a long time. The thing is, you’re unlikely to guzzle or binge on Kahlua & Coffee and with other mixed drinks like Rum & Coke, at least you have to take the time to mix them and the ice helps water them down. Alcoholic energy drinks such as Four Loko, Evil Eye, Max Fury, Slingshot Party Gel, Sparks, Joose, Rockstar 21, Tilt, Spykes, 24/7, 3Sum, Liquid Charge and Torque generally come in convenient jumbo-sized 23 oz. cans or bottles, are infused with stimulants such as caffeine, ginseng and guarana, and contain up to 12% alcohol by volume. In comparison, a typical normal-sized 12 oz. can of beer like Budweiser is just 5% alcohol, so experts estimate that drinking one can of Four Loko is the equivalent of drinking a six-pack and a strong cup of coffee. Thanks to all the caffeine and stimulants, you can get stupid-drunk before you even know what hit you, especially when you’re an inexperienced 17 year old drinking at a party. No wonder the kids call them “Liquid Crack” and “Blackout in a Can”.

How did we get here? As I drive past one Starbucks after another, and see their full parking lots and drive-through lanes, I always marvel, or cringe at how many people rely on caffeine to boost their energy levels, using caffeine to “wake up” at all hours of the day and night. Why not try taking a brisk 15 minute walk in the park, or try eating foods that fuel your body rather than drain it. Try getting adequate sleep or taking a nap if you need one, God forbid! Our society is as dependent on caffeine as it is on foreign oil. It’s no wonder our kids our also hooked on energy drinks, the gateway drug to alcoholic energy drinks.

Thankfully, Four Loco and Joose has been pulled from the shelves and many college campuses are looking to ban alcoholic energy drinks. The state of Washington’s Attorney General Rob McKenna is calling for a ban on these beverages stating that, “It's time to bring an end to the sale of alcoholic energy drinks. They're marketed to kids by using fruit flavors that mask the taste of alcohol, and they have such high levels of stimulants that people have no idea how inebriated they really are."

For now, talk to your kids about alcoholic energy drinks. Give them the facts so they know exactly why they are dangerous and encourage them to avoid them at all costs. If they must drink, Time Magazine says to stick with beer. Advise them not to drink on an empty stomach and don’t fall into the new trend called “drunkorexia,” which involves not eating or restricting calories to save them for alcohol to avoid gaining weight. But that’s a whole ‘nother article.