Do you or someone you love often drink caffeine mixed with alcohol? This can be a dangerous habit. Mixing a stimulant and a depressant in one beverage can have serious health consequences. However, it’s also common to find this combination in drinks on the market. Call 833.551.2304 to speak with someone from the knowledgeable staff at Gulf Breeze Recovery about alcohol mixed with caffeine and our alcohol addiction treatment options in Florida.
What to Know About Caffeine Mixed with Alcohol
Alcohol mixed with caffeine is a popular combination used for centuries to create a “wide-awake drunk” effect. You may be familiar with this combination due to premixed drinks such as the caffeinated malt beverage Four Loko.
Feeling tired is essential to people deciding they’ve had enough alcohol for the night. Caffeinated energy drinks are dangerous additives when drinking alcohol because they mask intoxication and tiredness. This could make people underestimate just how drunk they are, making it harder to judge when they need to cut themselves off.
Health Risks of Alcohol Mixed with Caffeine
This combination has been linked to a higher risk of binge drinking and other health risks, such as:
- Increased heart rate
- Dehydration
- Insomnia
- Disruption of motor skills and coordination
Drinking alcohol mixed with caffeine can even lead to death. People who add caffeine to their cocktails are at a greater risk of being in an accident and making regrettable decisions than those who don’t add caffeine to their alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcoholic energy beverages has been linked to an increased chance of having hangovers and passing out.
History of Caffeine Mixed with Alcohol
The popularity of caffeine-added alcoholic beverages increased after the first energy drink, Red Bull, debuted in 1987. Studies show that energy drinks like Red Bull have a priming effect, creating a more substantial need to keep drinking beverages containing them than having simple cocktails with the same amount of alcohol. Energy drinks may encourage people to drink more and therefore consume more alcohol.
College students are more likely to drink caffeine mixed with alcohol, despite the popularity of cocktails—like Sicilianos, hot white Russians, and espresso martinis—among older adults. This may be because college students are also more likely to purchase and consume caffeinated energy drinks. However, alcoholic beverages mixed with energy drinks flowing freely at restaurants and bars nationwide pose more significant risks than premixed versions in convenience stores.
Can You Develop a Dependency on Alcohol Mixed with Caffeine?
Yes, caffeine mixed with alcohol is a form of substance abuse. The caffeine in energy drinks or coffee can make it easier to drink more and push the body to its limits. When someone combines caffeine and alcohol, they risk developing a dependency because both substances are addictive.
One of the most complex parts of avoiding caffeine mixed with alcohol is that you may not know you are drinking a beverage that contains this combination. People who don’t realize caffeine is in their cocktails can drink more than they should and develop a dependency. People may also not realize that the premixed drinks they buy at convenience stores or supermarkets contain caffeine.
If you’re concerned that you or someone you love may struggle with caffeine and alcohol dependency, getting help is essential. While overcoming a caffeine dependency is typically possible without professional help, overcoming alcohol abuse usually requires more focus and medical supervision.
Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Florida at Gulf Breeze Recovery
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we provide comprehensive substance use disorder treatment services in Florida. Our knowledgeable team of professionals understands the risks of mixing caffeine and alcohol and can help you or your loved one reach sobriety if you’re struggling with substance use disorders. Contact Gulf Breeze Recovery today at 833.551.2304 to learn more about our alcohol abuse treatment programs.
