A new study has revealed that mixing of drinks rich in caffeine and alcohol, a much popular cocktail among youngsters, can lead to higher rates of drunkenness and affected driving.

Researchers from the University of Florida analyzed data collected in a survey of 800 college-age subjects, who leave the bars between 10 PM and 3 AM. The survey participants were asked about their consumption of energy drinks and alcohol, and then their breath-alcohol concentration levels were measured.

The 6.5% of the subjects who had admitted to drinking the energy-drink and alcohol cocktail were reportedly 3 times more likely to be drunk than those who consumed alcohol alone.

"There's a very common misconception that if you drink caffeine with an alcoholic beverage the stimulant effect of the caffeine counteracts the depressant effect of the alcohol, and that is not true", study co-author Bruce Goldberger said. Mr. Goldberger is the Director of Toxicology in the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Details of the study are all set to be published in the April issue of the journal Addictive Behaviors.