It is a popular trend. Many people are adding energy drinks to their alcoholic beverages. Energy drinks are beverages like 5-hour Energy, Red Bull, and Monster. It is not only a caffeine and alcohol mix, but it also includes stimulants like taurine and ginseng. This type of mixture has an unusual intoxicating effect. A person may be alert, however, the individual may not necessarily be aware of how drunk he or she actually is. There are two studies that detail the impact from the combination of alcohol and energy drinks.
Energy-Alcohol Mix Makes You Drink More
The Center for Research on Aging, Health, and Well-being at the Australian National University conducted a research study. The study found that mixing energy drinks and alcohol gives the individual the urge to drink more alcohol and/or mixed drinks. Mixed drinks could contain alcohol, energy drink and juice or juice and alcohol only.
Participants in the study drank these alcoholic beverages. Approximately 20 minutes prior to drinking and about 20 minutes after drinking, their desire to drink was measured. The participants who consumed the drinks containing alcohol and energy drinks reported a greater urge to continue consuming alcohol.
Energy-Alcohol Mix Makes You Less Aware of Intoxication
Researchers at Wake Forest University conducted another study on the effects of drinks that contained alcohol and energy drinks. The participants were college students. This study focused on the impact stimulants, like an energy drinks, had on a person when he or she consumes alcohol at the same time.
The study found that students who drank these beverages were intoxicated. It also discovered something else. Along with intoxication was impaired vision, motor skills and judgment. In fact, they were less aware of their intoxication than others who didn’t drink the energy drink-alcohol mix.
What Do These Studies have to do with a Driving under the Influence Arrest?
Plenty. Consider the results when the two studies are combined. Consuming energy drinks mixed with alcohol may increase your urge to continue drinking while reducing your perception of how drunk you really are. Both factors could increase your chances of drinking under the influence and getting arrested for DUI.
Thus, it is vital that you be particularly careful when drinking an alcoholic beverage that has an energy drink in it. These drinks can quickly “catch up” with you. In other words, all of a sudden you feel extremely intoxicated, but you’re not aware of the effects that it is having on your body and mind.
If you’re going to drink these energy drink-alcoholic mix, designate a driver. If you do drink and are pulled over for DUI, remember your legal rights!
Contact a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible after your DUI arrest. Remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions about the number of drinks you consumed. You do have the right to refuse to answer questions if you are arrested for DUI or any type of charge. Your first step is to ask for a Los Angeles DUI Defense Lawyer. This will protect your legal rights.
The Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin is devoted to providing you with an aggressive defense while protecting your legal rights. If you have been charged with a DUI in Los Angeles, immediately contact Jonathan Franklin. He is a former prosecutor who now successfully defense clients accused of DUI. He will diligently work on your behalf to successfully resolve your case, whether it’s getting the charge reduced, dismissed, or arguing for an innocent verdict at trial. Contact Jonathan Franklin today.
