Energy drinks and alcohol have become a popular—yet dangerous—combination, especially among younger drivers in Southern California. Mixing Red Bull, Monster, or other high-caffeine beverages with alcohol can make a person feel more alert than they actually are. But this perceived soberness is often an illusion, and the consequences can be serious—including a DUI arrest.
At Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we’ve seen how misconceptions about energy drinks and alcohol contribute to poor decisions behind the wheel. If you're facing DUI charges, and energy drinks played a role, it’s important to understand how these beverages could impact your case.
The Illusion of Sobriety
Alcohol is a depressant, while caffeine is a stimulant. When consumed together, the caffeine can mask the typical symptoms of alcohol intoxication—slurred speech, drowsiness, and impaired motor skills—making people feel more in control than they actually are.
The result? People may:
- Drink more alcohol than they otherwise would
- Underestimate their level of intoxication
- Feel confident enough to drive when they shouldn’t
That perceived control can be dangerous. While someone might feel “sober,” their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) could still be over the legal limit—and that’s all that matters in a DUI stop.
What the Science Says
Multiple studies have shown that mixing energy drinks with alcohol increases risk-taking behavior, impairs judgment, and raises the likelihood of driving while impaired. One widely cited study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that individuals who consume both are more likely to believe they are fit to drive, even when their reaction times and coordination are significantly impaired.
In California, none of this changes the legal threshold. If your BAC is 0.08% or higher, you can be charged with DUI—regardless of how alert or in control you think you are.
How This Plays Into a DUI Defense
Energy drinks themselves won’t get you a DUI, but they may play a role in how your case unfolds. Here’s how:
- Field sobriety test performance: A driver under the influence of both alcohol and caffeine may perform better on physical tests, potentially contradicting chemical evidence.
- Officer observations: If you appear alert and responsive during a stop, but later test over the legal limit, there may be grounds to challenge the accuracy of the breathalyzer or the validity of the stop.
- Lack of intent: In some cases, energy drinks may contribute to a genuine belief that one is sober enough to drive, which could be relevant in reducing charges or seeking alternative sentencing.
An experienced DUI defense attorney from Law Office of Michael L. Fell can evaluate whether the role of energy drinks offers any angle for challenging the evidence, negotiating a plea, or building a stronger case in court.
What You Should Know Before You Mix
If you’re going out in Southern California and considering mixing energy drinks with alcohol, here are a few important reminders:
- Feeling awake doesn’t mean you’re sober.
- Caffeine doesn’t reduce your BAC.
- Law enforcement will rely on chemical tests, not how alert you appear.
Even if you pass some parts of a field sobriety test or seem fine, a high BAC reading can still result in arrest and prosecution.
Arrested After Drinking and Driving? Call Law Office of Michael L. Fell
If you’ve been charged with DUI in Southern California and believe energy drinks played a role in your decision to drive, don’t wait. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we understand how these situations unfold—and how to challenge the assumptions that lead to a conviction.
Call (949) 585-9055 to schedule a confidential consultation with a DUI defense attorney who will take the time to understand the full picture and fight for the best outcome in your case.