High energy drinks, with and without alcohol: what do nurses know and do?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Substance Abuse Research
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• High energy drinks (HED) are increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults.
• A growing trend involves mixing HED with alcohol, posing unique health risks.
• There is a notable lack of awareness regarding the dangers of HED and alcohol combinations among various populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on high energy drinks (HED), with and without alcohol.
• To compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of psychiatric nurses with those of college students regarding HED use.
• To highlight the risks associated with HED and alcohol consumption, particularly among young adults.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on high energy drinks (HED) and their combination with alcohol.
• Survey administration to samples of psychiatric nurses and college students.
• Comparative analysis of survey responses between the two groups.

Main Results:

• College students and psychiatric nurses demonstrated limited awareness of the risks associated with mixing HED and alcohol.
• Both user groups and professionals involved in youth health appear to be uninformed or misinformed about the dangers.
• HED, characterized by high caffeine content, are widely consumed by teens and young adults.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for increased education and awareness campaigns regarding the risks of HED and alcohol.
• Healthcare professionals, including psychiatric nurses, require better information to counsel young adults effectively.
• The findings underscore a public health concern requiring attention from educators, clinicians, and policymakers.