4. Discussion
The results from the present study suggest the possibility of an increased
risk of substance use and patterns of alcohol dependence
among young adult college students who consume AmED beverages.
Using two different measures of alcohol and AmED consumption (past
week and past month), there were both strong and marginal univariate
differences observed. Past month and past week AmED consumers were
more likely than alcohol only consumers to report general energy drink
consumption and patterns of alcohol dependence. Some marginally
significant (after Bonferroni correction) differences between alcohol
only consumers and AmED consumers were also only found. Marijuana
use was marginally higher among past month AmED consumers than
among alcohol only consumers, while ketamine was marginally different
between these groups for both past week and past month reports.
Significant differences were observed on some personality measures,
with AmED consumers scoring higher on impulsivity, and lower anxiety
sensitivity than alcohol only consumers. This makes conceptual sense,
as anxiety sensitivity was associated with less alcohol consumption
when the SURPS was being created (Woicik et al., 2009). Furthermore,
individuals who are high in anxiety sensitivity may avoid the combination
of energy drinks with alcohol, as the stimulant properties of energy
drinks may exacerbate anxiety.