Energy Drinks and Recovery: A Dangerous Mix by Scott Hambleton, MD

Scott Hambleton, MD

Energy drinks are designed and advertised to increase performance of the user, both mentally and physically by combining caffeine, carbohydrates, vitamins and various herbal supplements to provide a stimulant effect greater than the effect of caffeine alone.

Caution is warranted for anyone who chooses to drink an energy beverage, even healthy adults without a history of a substance use disorder. Red Bull is banned in Norway, Uruguay and Denmark, as the result of an 18 year old athlete who died hours after drinking four cans prior to an event in 2000. Although the FDA limits the caffeine content in soft drink food products to 71mg per 12 ounce can, energy drinks are designated as dietary supplements, and are not limited in their caffeine content.

Coca-Cola Classic contains 34mg per 12 ounces, Starbucks coffee contains 160mg per 8 ounce cup, and some energy drinks contain in excess of 500mg per can! Over-the-counter caffeine-containing products require warning labels and caffeine content, yet energy drinks do not. Other stimulants such as ginseng, yerba mate, kola nut, green tea extract, bitter orange and guarana are often added to energy drinks to enhance the effects of caffeine.

Pharmacologic tolerance and withdrawal develop quickly. Caffeine intoxication (DSM-IV R code 305.90) is an acute overdose of caffeine, usually occurring with doses in excess of about 300 milligrams in a new user, with no tolerance. In children and adolescents who are not habitual caffeine users, vulnerability to caffeine intoxication may be markedly increased. Signs and symptoms include facial flushing, restlessness, anxiety and irritability. Less common, but potential manifestations include cardiac arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, seizures, mania, psychomotor agitation, psychosis and death! Other caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders include caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, caffeine-induced sleep disorder and caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified.

Everyone can agree that recovery is a precious gift worth guarding at any cost. Unfortunately, addiction is a chronic disease that has a tendency toward relapse, and recovery from a relapse is not always possible. Death is a very real consequence of relapse! Just as a diabetic needs to be cautious about their intake of sugar, the recovering alcoholic and addict must be cautious about the use of mood-altering drugs, including prescribed and over-the-counter preparations. Anything that has the potential to increase cravings is dangerous!

Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant drug and excessive use can trigger cocaine and methamphetamine cravings. Restlessness, irritability and discontentedness (RIDS) are caused by excessive caffeine intake and caffeine withdrawal. RIDS are a great reason to relapse with drug and alcohol use! The best bet is to play it safe and avoid the use of any energy drinks.

Scott Hambleton is medical director of the Pine Grove Women’s Center, a gender-responsive residential treatment program offering three separate programs for women coping with eating disorders, women coping with chemical dependency, and women coping with both. This unique and distinct setting allows the ability of the multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary treatment team to triage treatment components based on the patient's individual and unfolding needs.

Visit http://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/ or call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) for more information.

Next Step Men's Program

Next Step is a newly renovated 12 ½ week intensive treatment program designed to aid men in regaining their freedom from the disease of chemical dependency. Our structured primary and sober living programs are offered in an extended community setting and include an enhanced core curriculum with individually tailored treatment plans. As a not-for-profit organization, we are able to offer superior quality at affordable prices.

We provide a safe and secure environment where patients work together through many different tracks, programs, and courses to insure patients find the results and recovery they need. Specialized tracks include Impaired Licensed and Legal Programs, Dual Diagnosis/Multiple Addictions, Healthy Sexuality, and a Family Care Program.

The heart of Next Step’s success is the professional, caring, and effective staff members. Over 200 years of combined staff experience in the field of addiction makes Next Step the right step toward living a life free of alcohol and/or drug dependence.

Visit http://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/ or call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) for more information.

Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is known as one of the nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses. For over twenty five years Pine Grove has offered a continuum of services ranging from outpatient to inpatient and residential treatment for adults, children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric and addictive diseases. Specialized services include the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, and professionals struggling with interpersonal difficulties. The Pine Grove Mission is to be a leader in healing and changing lives by providing the highest quality behavioral health services.

The Women's Center: Sanctuary, Refuge, Shelter, Safety

The Pine Grove Women's Center is a gender-responsive residential treatment program offering three separate programs for women coping with eating disorders, women coping with chemical dependency, and women coping with both. This unique and distinct setting allows the ability of the multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary treatment team to triage treatment components based on the patient's individual and unfolding needs.

Work is done on the behavioral, cognitive, and affective level. Patients are supported in dealing with behavior, thoughts, and feelings. The program also integrates several theoretical perspectives including medical, psychiatric, socio-cultural, feminist, and 12-step.

Visit www.pinegrovetreatment.com or call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) for more information.

Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is known as one of the nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses. For over twenty five years Pine Grove has offered a continuum of services ranging from outpatient to inpatient and residential treatment for adults, children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric and addictive diseases. Specialized services include the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, and professionals struggling with interpersonal difficulties. The Pine Grove Mission is to be a leader in healing and changing lives by providing the highest quality behavioral health services.

Strategies: Anger Management Therapy

The Strategies program is a therapy service for adults and young people challenged with anger management. This therapy group meets once a week in the afternoon/evening hours with adults and young people attending different group sessions.

The program is designed for adults and young people who are experiencing social skill deficiencies and/or poor impulse control. Young people who have difficulty with pro-social decision making or who are in need of stress reduction skills can also benefit.

Components of the Program include:

- Using the ART (Anger Reduction Training) model, patients will participate in Group Therapy once a week.

- Learning to implement relaxation and stress reduction skills are also an important focus of the program.

- Individual therapy sessions will be held a minimum of once a month.

- Family members of participants are expected to be involved in treatment and are required to attend a minimum of one Family Session a month.

Many private insurances pay for treatment delivered by the Strategies Program. Pine Grove Outpatient Services will gladly verify insurance benefits for a potential program participant, and will assist in payment arrangements for those without insurance benefits.

Visit http://www.pinegrovetreatment.com/ or call 1-888-574-HOPE (4673) for more information.

Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is known as one of the nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses. For over twenty five years Pine Grove has offered a continuum of services ranging from outpatient to inpatient and residential treatment for adults, children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric and addictive diseases. Specialized services include the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, and professionals struggling with interpersonal difficulties. The Pine Grove Mission is to be a leader in healing and changing lives by providing the highest quality behavioral health services.