Alcoholic energy drinks
November 8, 2010
Public health and safety officials have become alarmed by the newest entry into the world of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic energy drinks are prepackaged beverages that contain not only alcohol but also caffeine and other stimulants.
A single can of Joose is 23½ ounces and 9.9 percent alcohol, is the equivalent of three beers and eight cups of coffee.
Four Loko is a caffeinated drink that contains 12% alcohol in a 24 ounce can. That means this beverage has 4-times the alcohol content of a regular beer; 1 can, 1 serving, and you could be intoxicated. The "Four Loko" commercial tag is in reference to the "four " other ingredients; caffeine, taurine, Guarana and woodworm.
Why Is It So Dangerous?
- Since energy drinks are stimulants and alcohol is a depressant, the combination of effects can be dangerous.
- Fatigue is one of the ways the body normally tells someone that they've had enough alcohol to drink. Since these energy drinks also contain a stimulant (caffeine), the effects are masked so you may not realize how much alcohol you have consumed.
- Alcohol and caffeine are very dehydrating which can hinder your body's ability to metabolize the alcohol.
- This could increase the toxicity and symptoms during the next day.
- Dehydration when working in hot environments can also increase the risk of heat related illnesses.
- The stimulant effect can give the person the impression they aren't impaired. No matter how alert you feel, the alcohol in the drink will raise your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) just like having alcoholic drinks.
- Once the stimulant effect wears off, the depressant effects of the alcohol will remain. Serious alcohol induced sickness can occur such as vomiting while asleep or respiratory depression.
This new line of alcoholic beverage product is extremely similar in look to the popular energy drinks that contain no alcohol. If you are suspicious of whether it is an energy drink containing alcohol or not, check the container. Any alcoholic drinks are required to show the Alcohol Volume (ALC VOL) on the can/bottle.
