Is It Bad To Mix Energy Drinks With Alcohol? What You Need to Know

Energy drinks are often consumed on their own, but sometimes they are mixed with other substances like alcohol, too. So, is it bad to mix alcohol and energy drinks? We will look into it and more in this article.

Key Points to Remember:

• Mixing alcohol with energy drinks is risky because caffeine masks how intoxicated you really are
• This combination increases the chances of dehydration, heart problems, injuries, and alcohol poisoning
• Energy drinks add high sugar and calories, raising risks of weight gain and metabolic issues when mixed with alcohol
• The stimulant–depressant combination strains the heart, increasing the chances of high blood pressure and arrhythmias
• The safest choice is to avoid mixing the two entirely and seek help if this pattern is linked to alcohol misuse

Energy drinks are highly popular beverages that increase your energy levels and also decrease the feelings of lethargy. This is because they contain high levels of caffeine and other ingredients, like taurine.

Popular examples of energy drinks are Red Bull, Monster Energy, and C4 Energy.

They are freely available in the market and can boost your energy levels, cognitive performance, and physical performance. However, they have their flip sides, too. One of them is when you mix energy drinks and alcohol together.

Yes, mixing an energy drink and alcohol is a bad idea.

It is a highly risky combination because the caffeine levels in energy drinks mask how drunk you actually are, making you feel more alert. This can lead to drinking more than intended and taking unsafe risks. The combination also strains your heart by speeding it up, while alcohol slows other systems down. Overall, it increases the chances of dehydration, injuries, and alcohol poisoning (basically, alcohol overdose).

Energy drinks, especially caffeine, and alcohol can increase the risks of dehydration, high blood pressure, and heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat).

At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that those who mix an energy drink with alcohol often tend to struggle with:

• Binge drinking (4-5 consecutive drinks within 2 hours)
• Risky behaviors, like unprotected sex
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Higher rates of injuries and accidents

There are a few reasons why mixing an energy drink and alcohol can be risky for you.

High Calorie Levels

Energy drinks are high in sugar and calories, so mixing them with alcoholic drinks - which also carry lots of calories, increases your calorie intake by a lot and quickly.

Frequent consumption of such sugary, high-calorie drinks can raise blood fats (like triglycerides) and increase the risk of metabolic problems - potentially leading to weight gain and liver conditions.

Caffeine Masks Intoxication

As we told you before, caffeine masks your intoxication levels. When you combine a stimulant (caffeine) with alcohol (a depressant), the caffeine can mask alcohol’s sedative effects. So, you may not feel drunk even though your body is impaired.

This masking can lead you to drink more alcohol and stay energized while consuming alcohol, which can even increase the risk of binge drinking and potentially fatal conditions like alcohol poisoning.

Heart Problems

Energy drinks raise blood pressure and strain blood vessels, and when combined with alcohol, this risk multiplies. Over time, this combination can increase chances of heart problems, irregular heartbeat, vascular damage, and even a stroke - especially if someone consumes it often.

Greater Risk of Misuse and Dependence

If you frequently consume energy drinks and alcohol together, it is likely that there are higher chances of alcohol misuse (frequent and heavy alcohol drinking episodes) and dependence (needing alcohol to feel and function normally).

To lower the risk of mixing an energy drink with alcohol, avoid consuming these two beverages together.

Energy drinks and caffeine can typically last up to 10 hours or more in your system, so avoid drinking alcohol for at least 10 hours after you have consumed an energy drink.

At the same time, if you consume energy drinks and alcohol together, keep an eye out for dehydration, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not neglect them. Seek medical attention immediately. Also, do not engage in high-risk behaviors, like driving or operating heavy machinery.

However, this is sometimes easier said than done, especially in the case of an alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by an inability to control drinking to the point that it affects your daily life and functioning. In some cases, it is highly possible that someone with an AUD might be mixing energy drinks with alcohol. So, what is crucial here is to treat the substance misuse so as to prevent other risks.

AUD is treated with a combination of:

• Medically supervised detoxification
• Psychotherapy, like motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and the 12-Step facilitation model, among others
• Medications like acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone
• Peer support programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery
• Aftercare — involving therapy/counseling, relapse prevention, medication management, lifestyle modifications, and more
• Sober living

If you frequently combine energy drinks with alcohol, then it is an indication that you can benefit from integrated recovery options. Design For Recovery offers community-based sober living homes where you can recover from (424) 242-1130 to speak with our experts today!