Mixing Stimulants And Depressants Is A Growing Trend In Energy Drinks

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks mixed with alcohol can cause dehydration, risk of seizures, and increased alcohol intake.

Everyone knows you shouldn't mix household chemicals. Occasionally they compliment each other and make your work easier, but more often than not they interact in unexpected ways and can cause dangerous or even fatal results.

The Utah County Division of Substance Abuse, as part of the Utah County Health Department, is concerned with a similar trend that is happening in the beverage industry. Energy drinks are becoming increasingly more prevalent, with new flavors, types and products entering our stores every day.

"Most people aren't even aware that some energy drink manufacturers are adding alcohol to their beverages," said Pat Bird, Utah County Division of Substance Abuse prevention coordinator. "They can be extremely hard to identify, using such phrases as 'malt beverage' and 'A-L-C by weight' to indicate they contain alcohol."

Most people we have talked to think malt is something that is used to flavor ice cream shakes, said Bird. In this case, however, it refers to an alcohol fermentation process.