Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1270-0562
Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dace S. Svikis, PhD
Second Advisor
Caroline C. Cobb, PhD
Third Advisor
Alexis Edwards, PhD
Fourth Advisor
Pamela Dillon, PhD
Fifth Advisor
Mary E. Loos, PhD
Abstract
Research on caffeine consumption among college students and young adults has primarily focused on caffeinated energy drinks (EDs) and their combination with alcohol, demonstrating a strong association with heavy and problematic alcohol use. However, little attention has been directed toward older adults. Furthermore, studies have shown that regular ED consumers are more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol dependence compared to their peers. Despite this association, little is known about ED consumption among individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), particularly those undergoing treatment, and even less is understood about other caffeine sources such as coffee. This study aimed to identify correlates of daily coffee and regular ED use using data from N=1,029 individuals from an ongoing study (the Genetic, Addiction, and Personality [GAP] study) on severe AUD. The sample was primarily White (95.4%) and non-Hispanic (97.3%), with a mean age of 41.13 years. Over four-fifths (86.5%) of the sample reported some coffee use; within that group, two-thirds (68.6%) reported daily coffee (DC) use. Nearly half of the total sample (47.2) reported some ED use, and within that group, less than one-third (28.8%) reported regular ED use. The study found different demographic and psychosocial correlates of DC and ED use. DC drinkers were more likely to be older and report lifetime tobacco smoking and lifetime stimulant use than non-DC drinkers. Regular ED users were more likely to be younger, endorse lower levels of education, have a lower response (sensitivity) to the effects of alcohol, and were more likely to report lifetime alcohol-mixed ED, stimulant, and opioid use than non-regular ED users. Given the high social acceptability of caffeinated beverages, screening for daily coffee and regular ED use could serve as an indirect way to identify individuals with AUD who are at risk for other types of substance use.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-11-2024
Comments
This study was supported by NIAAA/NIH: A Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) of Alcohol Use Disorder, Severe (R01 AA026750). VCU IRB: HM20013108 Genes, Addiction, and Personality Study