Proportion as a metric of problematic alcohol-energy drink consumption in college students

• Published in: Journal of substance use 2017-11, Vol.22 (6), p.581-586
• Main Authors: Haas, Amie L., Beard, Charlotte L., McKenna, Kevin R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol; alcohol-energy drinks; AmED; college students; substance use
• ISSN: 1465-9891; 1475-9942
• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2016.1271037

Background: Alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) is linked to deleterious drinking, particularly within college students. However, measurement and methodological concerns complicate a more thorough understanding of how AmED contributes to problematic alcohol consumption. This study examined AmED proportion (i.e., percentage of overall drinking events involving AmED consumption) as a metric for differentiating problematic alcohol use and tested the utility for explaining additional risk of alcohol-related problems beyond overall alcohol involvement. Methods: Self-report data were collected from a diverse sample of AmED consumers from two west-coast U.S. universities (N = 458; 60.1% female; 31.4% White). Participants were divided into three AmED proportion groups: low (25% or less of all drinking events), moderate (about 50%), or high (75% or more), and assessed for overall alcohol use and related consequences. Results: The groups did not differ on demographics or recent alcohol use. However, high proportion users reported significantly more alcohol-related problems than the low and moderate groups, even after controlling for overall alcohol involvement. However, proportion did not differentiate at-risk drinking as measured by cut-scores of the AUDIT. Conclusions: Findings provide support for proportion as metric for differentiating alcohol-related problems within AmED consumers. Implications for future research and interventions were discussed.