# What are the effects of drinking too much coffee and alcohol, at the same time? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 13, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884 "2016-03-13T18:34:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mr\_wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@mr\_wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/1 "2016-03-13T18:34:44Z")
I believe I have been in each situation separately and the effects are a bit opposite. One gives you the edge, sharpness and anxiety, the other relaxation and sleepiness. So, assuming all the liquids stay down there, what happens? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/2 "2016-03-13T18:39:49Z")
Caffeine may mitigate the sedatory effects of alcohol for a bit, but if one continues to consume both, the sedation from alcohol will eventually overwhelm any stimulation from caffeine. The possibility of death from acute alcohol poisoning is also increased, by a small amount, by adding caffeine. The extra alertness may allow the drinker to consume enough alcohol to kill them. Depends on rate of consumption, plus habituation effects from both drugs, if they are used regularly. Short answer: Alcohol “wins”. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/3 "2016-03-13T18:47:19Z")
It also seems like it would take you longer to get drunk if you were alternating the two beverages. Similar to drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have. Also maybe less of a hangover. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/4 "2016-03-13T19:17:32Z")
The old caffeinated malt liquors (or were they alcoholic energy drinks?) like Sparks and Four Loko ended up being effectively banned, although I was never really all that clear on whether there was a genuine health issue or if it was just that they were very popular among underage drinkers and there was a bit of a moral panic over it. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@mr\_wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/5 "2016-03-13T21:15:46Z")
Yes, I wonder if Irish liquor doesn’t have any effect other than placebo? Still alcohol and coffee, even in the right proportions, don’t annul each other, I guess. Alcohol supposedly induces social interaction so I reckon someone drunk plus caffeinated would be really keen in having quick efficient social interactions with whomever. Work would be done purposefully, with focus, but in the wrong direction. Speech would be slurred, but over-articulated. Sex would be slower, but acrobatic, fuzzy but sharper. What else? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/6 "2016-03-13T21:36:34Z")
Many vodka and red bulls make me act like a straight up sweaty hyper jackass. And terrible hangovers. Though that could be because of all the sugar in red bull. My wife disapproves. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/7 "2016-03-13T21:37:56Z")
I remember thinking once that if Coke & Rum was good, Jolt & 151 Rum must be better. I was wide awake with a hangover at 3 am. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/8 "2016-03-13T21:59:08Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I remember thinking once that if Coke & Rum was good, Jolt & 151 Rum must be better. > > I was wide awake with a hangover at 3 am. Oh yeah, I remember thinking that same thing one time. My experimental results were quite similar to yours. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/9 "2016-03-13T22:05:32Z")
> [@mr\_wolf](#): > > What else? I can’t think of anything else besides sharp fuzzy sex now, and I blame you! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/10 "2016-03-13T22:26:11Z")
The redneck’s speedball. If that isn’t a term it should be. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/11 "2016-03-13T22:26:29Z")
According to the CDC, it’s really not a good idea to mix caffeine and alcohol: > **[Dangers of mixing alcohol with caffeine and energy drinks | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/caffeine-and-alcohol.htm)** > > The CDC Caffeine and Alcohol fact sheet discusses the dangers, prevalence, and public health implications of mixing alcohol with caffeine or energy drinks. Biggest problem seems to be that the caffeine makes the drinker think they aren’t as drunk as they are, so they drink more and then do drunk stupid things. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/12 "2016-03-13T22:53:30Z")
Coffee may partially mitigate alcohol-induced liver toxicity (key word here is partially, it’s a matter of balancing risks and probabilities): > **[Coffee, caffeine, and the risk of liver cirrhosis - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11557177/)** > > These findings support the hypothesis that coffee, but not other beverages containing caffeine, may inhibit the onset of alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/13 "2016-03-14T09:36:13Z")
Real answer was given in first response. So I feel free: “You get a wide-awake drunk”. An ancient gag. Recycled here for the edification of the youth. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/14 "2016-03-14T10:27:41Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Caffeine may mitigate the sedatory effects of alcohol for a bit, but if one continues to consume both, the sedation from alcohol will eventually overwhelm any stimulation from caffeine. > > The possibility of death from acute alcohol poisoning is also increased, by a small amount, by adding caffeine. The extra alertness may allow the drinker to consume enough alcohol to kill them. Depends on rate of consumption, plus habituation effects from both drugs, if they are used regularly. > > Short answer: Alcohol “wins”. I recall years ago reading an article about sensible drinking. With regard to having a coffee to “sober up” after a drinking session the article warned, “rather than being just drunk you will now be an alert drunk.” ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/15 "2016-03-14T18:20:30Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > I can’t think of anything else besides sharp fuzzy sex now, and I blame you! 😛 If _sharp fuzzy sex_ has anything to do with furries, I really don’t want to know. Some ignorance should not be fought. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/16 "2016-03-14T20:04:57Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Also maybe less of a hangover. No. Alcohol & caffeine are both diuretics. Maybe not some of the hangover symptoms but the headache from dehydration? Oh yeah, because both things you’re drinking contribute towards that. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/17 "2016-03-14T20:05:04Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Real answer was given in first response. > > So I feel free: > “You get a wide-awake drunk”. > > An ancient gag. Recycled here for the edification of the youth. Not so much a gag as a caution to believers in the ancient “give a drunk coffee to sober him up” myth. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-effects-of-drinking-too-much-coffee-and-alcohol-at-the-same-time/748884/18 "2016-03-14T22:52:34Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > If _sharp fuzzy sex_ has anything to do with furries, I really don’t want to know. Some ignorance should not be fought. Yeah, that furry stuff is out of bounds. I don’t care if it is Uma Thurman and her clone in a three-way. That teddy bear suit is just… Out…