Alcohol, psychostimulant and energy drink use and abuse
Classroom discussions/assignments
News and Resources
2018
Alcohol-related ER visits soar, especially among women – NPR, January 11th 2018
Young women are using A.D.H.D. drugs in greater numbers, C.D.C. reports – New York Times, January 18th 2018
Far more U.S. children than previously thought may have fetal alcohol disorder – New York Times, February 6th 2018
Meth, the forgotten killer, is back. And it's everywhere – New York Times, February 13th 2018
A new documentary about adults on adderrall - and not just for ADHD – NPR, March 15th 2018
Federal agency courted alcohol industry to fund study on benefits of moderate drinking – New York Times, March 17th 2018
2017
'A really good day': One harried mom's LSD experiment – Washington Post, January 5 2017
Iceland knows how to stop teen substance abuse - but the rest of the world isn't listening – ABC.net.au, January 24th 2017
City of Toronto to target energy drink consumption – The Star, March 16th 2017
Is there a drug problem in Wrexham – BBC News, March 22nd 2017
Couple filmed in zombie-like state after taking spice drug – Metro.co.uk, March 22nd 2017
Big Tobacco attacks sensible F.D.A. rules on vaping – New York Times, April 19th 2017
Binge drinkers beware: study finds link between alcohol and heart arrhytmias – NPR, April 26th 2017
What that energy drink can do to your body – CNN, April 26th 2017
Are Britons falling out of love with booze – BBC News, May 3rd 2017
Measuring drug impairment in drivers is easier said than done – NPR, May 5th 2017
Companies need workers – but people keep getting high – Washington Post, May 17th 2017
Teen's energy drink-related death offers a teachable moment – Philly.com, May 17th 2017
Marijuana extract sharply cuts seizures in severe form of epilepsy – Washington Post, May 24th 2017
K-pop superstar T.O.P. in intensive care after overdose – BBC News, June 8th 2017
Opioids, alcohol, and other drugs killed more Marylanders in 2016 than ever before – Washington Post, June 8th 2017
Clandestine caffeine – Philly.com, June 9th 2017
Jeff Session personally asked congress to let him prosecute medical-marijuana providers – Washington Post, June 13th 2017
'Bags and bags and bags' of meth-infused lollipopos seized in $1 million Texas bust – Washington Post, June 14th 2017
How a golfer's wife overcame her addiction to alcohol – New York Times, June 22nd 2017
World's first trials of MDMA to treat alcohol addiction set to begin – Guardian, June 30th 2017
What to know about snortable chocolate – CNN, July 12rh 2017
Australian plane passenger checks in can of beer – BBC News, July 12th 2017
For Ethiopia's underemployed youth, life can enter on a leaf – New York Times, July 22nd 2017
Drinking on the rise in the U.S., especially for women, minorities, older adults - NPR, August 10th 2017
With heavy drinking on the rise, How much is too much? – NPR, August 16th 2017
'Legal high' review after laughing gas cases collapse – BBC news, August 31st 2017
Medical marijuana took a bite out of alcohol sales recreational pot could take an even bigger one – Washington Post, December 1st, 2017
2016
This mother drank while pregnant. Here's what her daughter's like at 43 – Washington Post, January 18th 2016
Caffeine for sale: The hidden trade of the world's favorite stimulant – NPR, March 1st 2016
The most terrifying part of my drug addiction? That my law firm would find out – Washington Post, March 24th 2016
9 in 10 don't link alcohol and cancer – Cancer research UK, April 1st 2016
Some fat-burning supplements contain banned stimulant drugs – NPR, April 7th 2016
Does addiction treatment require a higher power – NPR, May 1st 2016
Four Loko: 'Lose virginity' drink in China sparks debate – BBC News, September 13th 2016
Baclofen: the controversial pill that could cure alcoholism – The Guardian, September 16th 2016
Medications can help people stop abusing alcohol, but many don't know – NPR, September 26th 2016
The 4 traits that put kids at risk for addiction – The New York Times, September 29th 2016
Generation Adderall – The New York Times, October 12th 2016
Women 'nearing equality with men - in alcohol consumption' – BBC News, October 25th 2016
Russia bath lotion kills 49 drinkers in Irkutsk – BBC News, December 20th 2016
2015
Australian court rules against chainsaw drink-driver – BBC News, February 17th 2015
Maryland lawmakers rushing to ban powdered alcohol – Washington Post, April 2nd 2015
Boy (15) ill after consuming 3 liters of energydrink (Dutch) – Algemeen Dagblad, April 4th 2015
My mother is an alcoholic. It took me years to realize how her drinking affected me – Washington Post, April 13th 2015
Homeless shelter ops to close instead of accepting people on drugs, alcohol – NPR, April 16th 2015
Binge drinking: Young women take to the bottle big time – Newsweek, April 27th, 2015
Pence signs Indiana ban on powdered alcohol into law – Indystar, April 29th 2015
Energy drinks under scrutiny, tap into young gamer culture – New York Times, May 19th 2015
Who's addicted to what? The first worldwide guide – NPR, May 31st 2015
English Abbey's caffeinated wine gains popularity and scrutiny – The New York Times, June 1st 2015
Like us, Chimps go bananas for booze – NPR, June 10th 2015
Forget Amsterdam! Iceland smokes the most cannabis: Maps reveal how much drink and drugs countries really indulge in – Daily Mail, August 25th 2015
Study finds peak months for college students' first drug use is November, December and April for stimulants and over the summer for marijuana – Daily Mail, August 27th 2015
What happened when this college student drank too much, too quickly – Washington Post, August 31st 2015
FDA issues warning letters to 5 powdered caffeine distributors – Huffington Post, September 2nd 2015
The hidden cost of your drinking habit – Washington Post, October 16th 2015
2014
Palcohol powdered alcohol could be headed to a store near you – LA Times, April 21st 2014
Addicted and pregnant: 'The most heart-wrenching experience of my life – NPR, May 11th 2014
Meds can help problem drinkers but many doctors don’t know that – NPR, May 13th 2014
Want to curb binge drinking? End the focus on laws and look at culture – The Guardian, May 16th 2014
Substituting smokeless tobacco for coffee grounds – KETKNBC, June 24th 2014
Excessive drinking causes 10 percent of deaths in working-age adults – NPR, June 26th 2014
Can we predict which teens are likely to binge drink? Maybe. – NPR, July 2nd 2014
Vapshot lets you literraly inhale your alcohol – The Independent, July 30th 2014
Problem drinking in midlife linked to memory trouble later – NPR, July 30th 2014
Caffeine gives athletes an edge, but don’t overdo it – NPR, August 1st 2014
When cigarettes cost more, people drink less. Except for wine – NPR, September 24th 2014
To stop teen drinking parties, fine the parents – NPR, December 15th 2014
Australia's wine 'cheaper than a bottle of water' – BBC News, December 30th 2014
You're gonna get soooo wasted tonight, and Google knows it – Washington Post, December 31st 2014
Potent powdered caffeine raises safety worries – NPR, December 31st 2014
2013
Woman dies after downing 2 gallons of Coca-cola daily – USA today, February 12th 2013
75 years in the making: Harvard just release its epic study on what men need to live a happy life – Feelguide.com, April 29th 2013
As you can imagine, the study’s discoveries are bountiful, but the most significant finding of all is that “Alcoholism is a disorder of great destructive power.” In fact, alcoholism is the single strongest cause of divorce between the Grant Study men and their wives. Alcoholism was also found to be strongly coupled with neurosis and depression (which most often follows alcohol abuse, rather than preceding it). Together with cigarette smoking, alcoholism proves to be the #1 greatest cause of morbidity and death. And above a certain level, intelligence doesn’t prevent the damage.
Monster energy drinks strikes back, sues Dennis Herrera – SF Gate, April 30th 2013
Mom sues Monster energy drink over teen’s death – NBC News, June 26th 2013
Coffee addiction: Do people consume too much caffeine? – BBC News, May 22nd 2013
One cup or 12? Readers’ caffeine habits – BBC News, May 31st 2013
Man died after overdosing on caffeine mints – Independent, October 11th 2013
2012
Drugs help tailor alcoholism treatment – New York Times, May 21st 2012
New York state is investigating energy drink makers – New York Times, August 28th 2012
Monster energy drink cited in deaths– New York Times, October 22nd 2012
14-year-old girl dies of heart attack after drinking two cans of high-caffeine Monster Energy drinks on consecutive days – Independent, October 23rd 2012
Safety becomes a concern with high caffeine drinks – New York Times, October 23rd 2012
Report on energy drinks show gaps in safety policy – New York Times, October 26th 2012
Alcohol poisoning killed student; aunt says energy drinks had role – Seattle Times, October 31st 2012
Caffeinated drink cited in reports of 13 deaths – New York Times, November 14th 2012
2010
Man dies from caffeine overdose, ingested ‘spoonfuls’ of powder equivalent to 70 cans of red bull – Daily News, November 3rd 2010
2008
Energy powder designed to look like cocaine could be sold in Britain – Daily Mail, February 15th 2008
2002
Cardiff student dies of caffeine overdose – The Guardian, August 30th 2002
- What is your own experience with consumption of energy drinks?
- What is your opinion about powdered and vaporized energy drinks and alcohol? What risks do you see associated with these forms?
- What is your opinion on caffeine pouches that are used in a manner similar to pouches of tobacco? Should caffeine powder be sold to the public, what about caffeinated peanut butter?
- What type of marketing strategies do alcohol and energy drink producers use to advertise their products? Make a powerpoint of different websites, twitter, facebook, youtube media of these companies. Whom are these products marketed to? Do you agree with their strategy?
- What should be the role, if any, of parents, schools, local, state and federal government in controlling availability of alcohol and caffeinated energy drinks or providing education about their use, safety and risks?
- Should alcohol every be cheaper than water or soda?
- Do you think people dependent on drugs of abuse like alcohol, can only change once they have reached rock bottom? Do you think forcing these people in Alcoholic anonymous meetings and drug therapies when they are not ready will hurt the chance of success? If you agree with this hypothesis Would there be a way to speed up people reaching rock bottom through certain means like behavioral therapy or virtual reality? How do you think people who have not reached rock bottom should be treated/helped?
- What do you envision the legal status of marijuana will be in 5 years from now? What potential positive and negative consequences do you think will arises from states legalizing marijuana?
- What risks do you foresee with the coming of age of children raised on or surrounded by children on ADHD drugs? Do you think this population sees stimulant drug abuse through a less polarized lens? Do you think there are grey areas in stimulant drug misuse? Where does the line of medical use cross into misuse and abuse?
- What are nootropics? Should healthy individuals ever use psychostimulants?
- How does the internet, the 'dark-web' and virtual currency impact drug abuse?
- What are the pros and cons to self-medication using alcohol, marijuana, kratom, nootropics?
News and Resources
2018
Alcohol-related ER visits soar, especially among women – NPR, January 11th 2018
Young women are using A.D.H.D. drugs in greater numbers, C.D.C. reports – New York Times, January 18th 2018
Far more U.S. children than previously thought may have fetal alcohol disorder – New York Times, February 6th 2018
Meth, the forgotten killer, is back. And it's everywhere – New York Times, February 13th 2018
A new documentary about adults on adderrall - and not just for ADHD – NPR, March 15th 2018
Federal agency courted alcohol industry to fund study on benefits of moderate drinking – New York Times, March 17th 2018
2017
'A really good day': One harried mom's LSD experiment – Washington Post, January 5 2017
Iceland knows how to stop teen substance abuse - but the rest of the world isn't listening – ABC.net.au, January 24th 2017
City of Toronto to target energy drink consumption – The Star, March 16th 2017
Is there a drug problem in Wrexham – BBC News, March 22nd 2017
Couple filmed in zombie-like state after taking spice drug – Metro.co.uk, March 22nd 2017
Big Tobacco attacks sensible F.D.A. rules on vaping – New York Times, April 19th 2017
Binge drinkers beware: study finds link between alcohol and heart arrhytmias – NPR, April 26th 2017
What that energy drink can do to your body – CNN, April 26th 2017
Are Britons falling out of love with booze – BBC News, May 3rd 2017
Measuring drug impairment in drivers is easier said than done – NPR, May 5th 2017
Companies need workers – but people keep getting high – Washington Post, May 17th 2017
Teen's energy drink-related death offers a teachable moment – Philly.com, May 17th 2017
Marijuana extract sharply cuts seizures in severe form of epilepsy – Washington Post, May 24th 2017
K-pop superstar T.O.P. in intensive care after overdose – BBC News, June 8th 2017
Opioids, alcohol, and other drugs killed more Marylanders in 2016 than ever before – Washington Post, June 8th 2017
Clandestine caffeine – Philly.com, June 9th 2017
Jeff Session personally asked congress to let him prosecute medical-marijuana providers – Washington Post, June 13th 2017
'Bags and bags and bags' of meth-infused lollipopos seized in $1 million Texas bust – Washington Post, June 14th 2017
How a golfer's wife overcame her addiction to alcohol – New York Times, June 22nd 2017
World's first trials of MDMA to treat alcohol addiction set to begin – Guardian, June 30th 2017
What to know about snortable chocolate – CNN, July 12rh 2017
Australian plane passenger checks in can of beer – BBC News, July 12th 2017
For Ethiopia's underemployed youth, life can enter on a leaf – New York Times, July 22nd 2017
Drinking on the rise in the U.S., especially for women, minorities, older adults - NPR, August 10th 2017
With heavy drinking on the rise, How much is too much? – NPR, August 16th 2017
'Legal high' review after laughing gas cases collapse – BBC news, August 31st 2017
Medical marijuana took a bite out of alcohol sales recreational pot could take an even bigger one – Washington Post, December 1st, 2017
2016
This mother drank while pregnant. Here's what her daughter's like at 43 – Washington Post, January 18th 2016
Caffeine for sale: The hidden trade of the world's favorite stimulant – NPR, March 1st 2016
The most terrifying part of my drug addiction? That my law firm would find out – Washington Post, March 24th 2016
9 in 10 don't link alcohol and cancer – Cancer research UK, April 1st 2016
Some fat-burning supplements contain banned stimulant drugs – NPR, April 7th 2016
Does addiction treatment require a higher power – NPR, May 1st 2016
Four Loko: 'Lose virginity' drink in China sparks debate – BBC News, September 13th 2016
Baclofen: the controversial pill that could cure alcoholism – The Guardian, September 16th 2016
Medications can help people stop abusing alcohol, but many don't know – NPR, September 26th 2016
The 4 traits that put kids at risk for addiction – The New York Times, September 29th 2016
Generation Adderall – The New York Times, October 12th 2016
Women 'nearing equality with men - in alcohol consumption' – BBC News, October 25th 2016
Russia bath lotion kills 49 drinkers in Irkutsk – BBC News, December 20th 2016
2015
Australian court rules against chainsaw drink-driver – BBC News, February 17th 2015
Maryland lawmakers rushing to ban powdered alcohol – Washington Post, April 2nd 2015
Boy (15) ill after consuming 3 liters of energydrink (Dutch) – Algemeen Dagblad, April 4th 2015
My mother is an alcoholic. It took me years to realize how her drinking affected me – Washington Post, April 13th 2015
Homeless shelter ops to close instead of accepting people on drugs, alcohol – NPR, April 16th 2015
Binge drinking: Young women take to the bottle big time – Newsweek, April 27th, 2015
Pence signs Indiana ban on powdered alcohol into law – Indystar, April 29th 2015
Energy drinks under scrutiny, tap into young gamer culture – New York Times, May 19th 2015
Who's addicted to what? The first worldwide guide – NPR, May 31st 2015
English Abbey's caffeinated wine gains popularity and scrutiny – The New York Times, June 1st 2015
Like us, Chimps go bananas for booze – NPR, June 10th 2015
Forget Amsterdam! Iceland smokes the most cannabis: Maps reveal how much drink and drugs countries really indulge in – Daily Mail, August 25th 2015
Study finds peak months for college students' first drug use is November, December and April for stimulants and over the summer for marijuana – Daily Mail, August 27th 2015
What happened when this college student drank too much, too quickly – Washington Post, August 31st 2015
FDA issues warning letters to 5 powdered caffeine distributors – Huffington Post, September 2nd 2015
The hidden cost of your drinking habit – Washington Post, October 16th 2015
2014
Palcohol powdered alcohol could be headed to a store near you – LA Times, April 21st 2014
Addicted and pregnant: 'The most heart-wrenching experience of my life – NPR, May 11th 2014
Meds can help problem drinkers but many doctors don’t know that – NPR, May 13th 2014
Want to curb binge drinking? End the focus on laws and look at culture – The Guardian, May 16th 2014
Substituting smokeless tobacco for coffee grounds – KETKNBC, June 24th 2014
Excessive drinking causes 10 percent of deaths in working-age adults – NPR, June 26th 2014
Can we predict which teens are likely to binge drink? Maybe. – NPR, July 2nd 2014
Vapshot lets you literraly inhale your alcohol – The Independent, July 30th 2014
Problem drinking in midlife linked to memory trouble later – NPR, July 30th 2014
Caffeine gives athletes an edge, but don’t overdo it – NPR, August 1st 2014
When cigarettes cost more, people drink less. Except for wine – NPR, September 24th 2014
To stop teen drinking parties, fine the parents – NPR, December 15th 2014
Australia's wine 'cheaper than a bottle of water' – BBC News, December 30th 2014
You're gonna get soooo wasted tonight, and Google knows it – Washington Post, December 31st 2014
Potent powdered caffeine raises safety worries – NPR, December 31st 2014
2013
Woman dies after downing 2 gallons of Coca-cola daily – USA today, February 12th 2013
75 years in the making: Harvard just release its epic study on what men need to live a happy life – Feelguide.com, April 29th 2013
As you can imagine, the study’s discoveries are bountiful, but the most significant finding of all is that “Alcoholism is a disorder of great destructive power.” In fact, alcoholism is the single strongest cause of divorce between the Grant Study men and their wives. Alcoholism was also found to be strongly coupled with neurosis and depression (which most often follows alcohol abuse, rather than preceding it). Together with cigarette smoking, alcoholism proves to be the #1 greatest cause of morbidity and death. And above a certain level, intelligence doesn’t prevent the damage.
Monster energy drinks strikes back, sues Dennis Herrera – SF Gate, April 30th 2013
Mom sues Monster energy drink over teen’s death – NBC News, June 26th 2013
Coffee addiction: Do people consume too much caffeine? – BBC News, May 22nd 2013
One cup or 12? Readers’ caffeine habits – BBC News, May 31st 2013
Man died after overdosing on caffeine mints – Independent, October 11th 2013
2012
Drugs help tailor alcoholism treatment – New York Times, May 21st 2012
New York state is investigating energy drink makers – New York Times, August 28th 2012
Monster energy drink cited in deaths– New York Times, October 22nd 2012
14-year-old girl dies of heart attack after drinking two cans of high-caffeine Monster Energy drinks on consecutive days – Independent, October 23rd 2012
Safety becomes a concern with high caffeine drinks – New York Times, October 23rd 2012
Report on energy drinks show gaps in safety policy – New York Times, October 26th 2012
Alcohol poisoning killed student; aunt says energy drinks had role – Seattle Times, October 31st 2012
Caffeinated drink cited in reports of 13 deaths – New York Times, November 14th 2012
2010
Man dies from caffeine overdose, ingested ‘spoonfuls’ of powder equivalent to 70 cans of red bull – Daily News, November 3rd 2010
2008
Energy powder designed to look like cocaine could be sold in Britain – Daily Mail, February 15th 2008
2002
Cardiff student dies of caffeine overdose – The Guardian, August 30th 2002
