This study examined the temporal relationship between energy drink and alcohol use among adolescents, using data collected from adolescents attending public high schools in two waves (n = 894).
Path analysis indicated that energy drink use at baseline was positively associated with the number of drinking days but not binge drinking or average drinks per drinking day over the past 30 days at follow-up. This relationship remained when controlling for race, age, gender, previous alcohol use, and impulsivity. The study recommends that alcohol-use prevention efforts consider the use of energy drinks as a risk factor for adolescent alcohol use. (Publisher abstract modified)