Heavy energy drink users in college likelier to abuse Rx stimulants: study

Chesterfield, MO – College students who frequently consume energy drinks are more likely to illicitly use a prescription stimulant, according to a recent study.

Researchers from a number of universities surveyed 267 college students about their use of energy drinks and prescription stimulants such as Adderall, the combination of which can cause harmful interactions.

Participants who had not consumed an energy drink in the previous 30 days had only a 15 percent probability of illicitly using a prescription stimulant, while those who had consumed an energy drink each of the previous 30 days had more than a 50 percent probability of illicitly using a prescription stimulant.

Researchers concluded that college students who frequently use these substances may be abusing them in order to boost their energy and alertness.

The study was published online March 3 in the journal Substance Abuse.