ENERGY DRINKS AND ALCOHOL- A BAD MIXTURE
By Dr. Joseph Citron
The popularity of mixing alcohol with energy drinks, such as red bull, is great among the bar scene. The energy drinks significantly reduce the drinkers’ perception of headache, weakness, dry mouth and impairment of motor coordination.
However, the energy drinks DID NOT reduce the deficits caused by alcohol on objective motor coordination testing and visual reaction time.
Likewise, the energy drinks DID NOT alter the blood alcohol concentration or the breath test results.
As a consequence of the drinker not immediately feeling the signs of alcohol when mixed with energy drinks, the drinker will consume more alcohol than otherwise. This increases the probability of accidents and might lead to alcohol dependence.
Research into this area includes journals like Alcohol Clinical Experimental Research which featured two articles, one in 2006 and the other in 2007. These articles measured
test responses after drinking alcohol and alcohol mixed with energy drinks.
The potential problems led to banning of Red Bull for twelve years by France.
American courts have noticed increased BACs (blood alcohol concentration) when the accused admits to mixing alcohol with an energy drink.
Dr. Joseph Citron received his Medical Doctorate (MD) degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1971. After completing his residency training in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Citron established a surgical practice in Atlanta where he became a Board Certified Ophthalmologist. During his career as a practicing physician, Dr. Citron held various positions that included chief of staff of Atlanta Hospital and an AMA delegate from Georgia. Additionally, Dr. Citron lectured on surgical techniques and results at National and International conferences.
Dr. Citron received his J.D. from Georgia State College of Law and combines his knowledge of medicine with the practical aspects of law in several areas. He is a consulting attorney in medical malpractice and nursing home abuse cases, an active litigating attorney, and an expert witness.
Dr. Citron’s most recent publication appears in the June 2007 issue of the Champion, a monthly journal for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and discusses the mis-application of the Romberg test administered by police in road-side sobriety tests.
He is admitted to practice before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and all Georgia state trial and appellate courts.
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