Energy drink use frequency among an international sample of people who use drugs: Associations with other substance use and well-being.
The study aims were to identify: i.) energy drink (ED), caffeine tablet, and caffeine intranasal spray use amongst a sample who report drug use, and ii.) the association between ED use frequency and demographic profile, drug use, hazardous drinking, and wellbeing.



Participants (n=74,864) who reported drug use completed the online 2014 Global Drug Survey. They provided data on demographics, ED use, and alcohol and drug use, completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), and reported whether they wished to reduce alcohol use.



Lifetime ED, caffeine tablet and intranasal caffeine spray use were reported by 69.2%, 24.5% and 4.9%. Median age of ED initiation was 16 years. For those aged 16-37, median years using EDs increased from 4 to 17 years of consumption, where it declined thereafter. Greater ED use frequency was associated with: being male; under 21 years of age; studying; and past year caffeine tablet/intranasal spray, tobacco, cannabis, amphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine use. Past year, infrequent (1-4days) and frequent (≥5days) past month ED consumers reported higher AUDIT scores and lower PWI scores than lifetime abstainers; past month consumers were less likely to report a desire to reduce alcohol use.



ED use is part of a complex interplay of drug use, alcohol problems, and poorer personal wellbeing, and ED use frequency may be a flag for current/future problems. Prospective research is required exploring where ED use fits within the trajectory of other alcohol and drug use.
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia. Electronic address: Amy.Peacock@unsw.edu.au.
Amy
A
Peacock
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
Raimondo
R
Bruno
Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
Jason
J
Ferris
South London and Maudsley NHS Trust/King's College London, UK; Global Drug Survey, London, UK.
Adam
A
Winstock
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D002110:Caffeine
Alcohol; Caffeine; Ecstasy; Energy drink; Stimulant