Every day, millions of people turn to products with names like Red Bull, Monster or Redline for a burst of energy that will (if the advertisement prove correct) help give them an energy boost and enhance their focus.  While the claims of these products is still up for debate in terms of validity, many drug addiction professionals are becoming concerned that they made lead to something much worse.

A recent study by the American College of Health found that individuals who consumed multiple energy drinks each week were much more likely to engage in other damaging behaviors such as cigarette smoking and the abuse of prescription drugs.

While it is hard to prove a causational link between the two behaviors, another study from the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence raised more serious concerns by associated heavy energy drink usage with caffiene toxicity and eventually, addiction to stimulants and other hard drugs.

Both these studies are still making their way through the scientific community, but whether or not they lead more findings, there is no denying that energy drink consumption, when not in moderation, can lead to a variety of health problems, including:

• Dehydration
• Kidney failure
• Heart failure
• Seizures
• Coma

Energy drinks have drawn the attention of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recent years, so watch for more studies about the potential health hazards of these “wonder drinks.”

Obviously, these problems (and the link to drug addiction) are not applicable to the majority of individuals who consume energy drinks.  However, if you or someone you know has seen their health suffer as a result of their addiction to energy drinks, stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine, or any other drug, it is important to contact a drug rehab facility immediately.