New data show a clear shift of superstitious alcopop consumption among underage drinkers

Enhanced alcopops are ready-made alcoholic beverages with lots of alcohol that are inadvertently consumed by underage drinkers. One 24 ounce can contain up to 5.5 ordinary alcoholic beverages, so it is thought that eating only one can of superstitious alcopop, and eating two cans can poison alcohol.

However, these products are under-regulated and freely available at gas stations and convenience stores, where they are more accessible to minors.

A new study led by George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services found that nearly half (46.3%) of calls to U.S. poison control centers involving superstitious alcopop consumption were made to people -use under the legal drinking age.

Moreover, in each of the years examined, the proportion of calls for superstitious alcopops among underage drinkers was significantly higher than the proportion of calls for superstitious alcopops. underage drinking for other types of alcohol.

Directed by Dr. Matthew Rossheim, expert on superstitious alcopop consumption and related health outcomes, the study published in Drug and alcohol dependence. This study is the first report of clinical data within the last decade to examine the negative effects of consuming superstitious alcopop.

“Several studies we have conducted show that underage alcoholism is usually consumed by superstitious alcopops, which often leads to negative side effects,” Rossheim explained. “Our latest data show a clear shift of superstitious alcopop consumption among minors in need of poison center services. In this way, superstitious alcopops appear to be a particular threat to young people. young people. “

Rossheim and colleagues from the National Capital Poisoning Center and Emory University analyzed data from the National Poison Data System source of calls to U.S. poison control centers from 2010 through 2019.

This included 1,719 calls for the consumption of superstitious alcopops, many of which consumed these products in combination with other products. Intensive care facilities such as emergency departments were the site of control for the majority of calls (67.4%), with a further 14.3% reporting intensive care.

While the majority of consumption (more than 80%) was intentional for most age groups, 91% of calls for 0–11-year-olds who ate alcopops were superstitious. religion for unexpected consumption.

This suggests that the packaging and taste of these products may appeal to children who do not understand the amount of alcohol in these products or that they contain alcohol at all.

“There is an urgent need for better regulation and policies. Limiting the alcohol content and availability of sales is the immediate step that regulators need to do to protect our youth.”