Valid Points, But the Trends Remain: A Response to Rossheim, Suzuki, and Thombs

This response addresses several concerns raised by Rossheim, Suzuki and Thombs (in press) regarding our recent publication in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research entitled “The Subjective Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioral Risk-Taking Consequences of Alcohol and Energy Drink Co-Ingestion”. In our response we acknowledge the validity of several of the points raised by Rossheim and colleagues. However, we discuss how re-analysis of the data in light of these concerns demonstrates that it is not likely that these issues have substantially affected the findings, with the same pattern of results evident. We further argue that while we would not treat the results of our study as a definitive statement regarding the link between alcohol mixed with energy drink (AmED) use and risk-taking (as stated in the original publication), our research does rectify some of those methodological limitations identified in past research and will hopefully facilitate targeted future research which can be used to inform policy change regarding AmED sales and regulation.