A sharp incline in the number of emergency department visits associated with the consumption of energy drinks was reported last week by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
In the report, “Emergency Department Visits Involving Energy Drinks,” SAMHSA found that ED visits attributed to energy drinks rose from 1,128 in 2005 to 13,114 in 2009, with a peak of 16,055 in 2008. The report notes that the vast majority (77 percent) of visits were made by people aged 18 to 39 and that males made up nearly two thirds (64 percent) of all the visits.
Energy drinks are defined as flavored beverages containing high amounts of stimulants such as caffeine. They are typically available in grocery stores, vending machines, bars and other venues.
“Energy drinks used in excess or in combination with alcohol or drugs can pose a serious health risk,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde in a statement. “The beverage industry, consumer groups, community coalitions, the healthcare community, teachers, parents and others must get the word out that quick fix energy drinks are not a solution and carry great risks, especially in combination with other substances of abuse.”
Additionally, the report found that 44 percent of the emergency department visits involving energy drinks were associated with other substances such as alcohol, pharmaceuticals or illicit drugs. The rate of combination use of energy drinks and other substances of abuse was greatest among cases involving young adults aged 18 to 25 (52 percent).
Energy drink-related emergency department visits involving males were twice as likely as those involving females to include the use of alcohol (20 percent versus 10 percent) or illicit drugs (12 percent versus 5 percent). Female visits were more likely than male visits to involve the combined use of energy drinks and pharmaceuticals (35 percent versus 23 percent).
Studies indicate that excessive caffeine intake from energy drinks can cause adverse reactions such as arrhythmias, hypertension, dehydration and other more serious medical conditions. Combining energy drinks with substances of abuse raises the risk of serious, even life-threatening injury, as well as the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors such as driving under the influence.