Adolescent Nonmedical Use of Opioids and Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drinks

Objective In this study, we examined the relationship between alcohol mixed with energy drink use (AmED) and nonmedical prescription opioid use among 12th graders, using data from the 2015 Monitoring the Future Study. Methods Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and logistic regression analyses were used to determine differences in nonmedical prescription opioid use by students who used alcohol-only (AO) versus AmED and to identify covariates of nonmedical prescription opioid use. Results Greater frequency of AmED use was associated with greater frequency of nonmedical Oxycontin (r = 0.391, p < .001) and Vicodin (r = 0.379, p < .001) use with moderate effect sizes. Results revealed statistically significant differences in frequency of nonmedical Oxycontin (p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.29) and Vicodin (p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.30) use between AO and AmED use. Likelihood of nonmedical prescription opioid use increased by a factor of 2 for each time AmED was consumed in the past 12 months. Conclusion Our results highlight the need to improve understanding of the relationship between nonmedical prescription opioid, energy drink and AmED use. AmED use appears to be associated with increased nonmedical prescription opioid use.