Addressing the Public Health Risks of Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages Through Brief Health Education

The combined use of caffeine and alcohol, commonly referred to as caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs), is prevalent among young adults and is associated with increased alcohol consumption, reduced perception of intoxication, and higher-risk behaviors such as binge drinking and impaired driving. Despite these risks, gaps remain in public knowledge regarding the health consequences of combining these substances. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether a brief educational intervention could improve knowledge of the risks associated with CAB consumption and increase willingness to reduce CAB use. An interactive educational intervention covering the prevalence of CAB consumption among young adults as well as its effects and risks was developed. The educational intervention was delivered as either a group presentation or condensed one-on-one sessions. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys assessing knowledge and attitudes toward CAB use. A paired t-test was used to compare mean knowledge scores before and after the intervention. Of the 118 individuals who participated, 94 completed both surveys and were included in the analysis. Mean knowledge scores increased from 54% ± 21% to 72% ± 23% pre- and post-intervention, respectively (p < 0.001). Self-perceived knowledge increased from 32% to 95% of participants agreeing they were knowledgeable about the effects of combining alcohol and caffeine, while willingness to reduce CAB consumption increased from 66% to 80%. These findings suggest that a brief interactive educational intervention can improve knowledge about the risks of CAB use and increase openness to reducing consumption.