FRESH concerns about the potential dangers of mixing alcohol with energy drinks have been reinforced by the town’s public health chief.
The charity Drinkaware, which promotes responsible drinking, says that the combination can lead to a ‘wide awake drunk’ state.
They say that younger people in particular are at risk of injury because of the stimulation of caffeine can lead them to underestimate the impact of the drink on their mind and body.
This creates a false sense of security that can lead to the drinker taking dangerous risks.
St Helens Council’s director of public health Liz Gaulton said that it is a mistake to assume that caffeine and alcohol cancel each other out.
She stressed: “In fact caffeine can reduce the sedative effects of acute alcohol consumption.”
The drinks also increase the risk of heart palpitations, agitation, tremors, irritability and tension compared with alcohol without caffeine.
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