Blue Monster Low-Carb Energy Drink Addiction

When Red Bull energy drinks first came out on the market I wasn't a huge fan. I drank them occasionally, but the taste wasn't enough to get me hooked. Then in 2001, the Rockstar Energy Drink was introduced to the market. The taste of the Rockstar Energy Drink was much improved. They also came in large 16-ounce cans, which was probably the primary reason for their explosion in sales and popularity. I liked the flavor of the Rockstar and the idea that they were packed with tons of supplements offering health benefits. Wikipedia reports that "by 2008, Rockstar was one of the top three energy drink brands" in the US. "It had 14% of the US energy drink market in 2008, and as of 2009 was available in over 20 countries."

I started buying Rockstars regularly in 2004, but was concerned about the number of calories I was consuming, so I switched to the low sugar version of their drink, just before I discovered the Low Carb Monster Energy Drink. The Original Rockstar was then named the "Worst Energy Drink by Men's Health magazine for having 280 calories due to 62 grams of sugar" and the Lo-Carb Monster Energy Drink with only 20 calories, was suggested as a replacement in September of 2009. I didn't purchase my first Monster Energy drink until then. In comparing the labels I found the Low Sugar Rock Star had no sugars, fewer carbs, and less sodium than the Low-Carb Monster Energy drink, but the flavor in the Monster was substantially better. The Monster has a unique tart taste that makes your mouth salivate and want more. After drinking Monsters regularly, I have a hard time consuming a Rock Star. My teenagers say it's "like drinking urine" in comparison to the awesome flavor of Monster.

After drinking the "Blue Monsters" a few times a week, I quickly became addicted and started craving them daily. On November 10, 2008, the distribution of Monster was turned over to the Coca-Cola company and sales exploded. There were a few times in 2009 when you couldn't find the Blue Monsters on the shelf. It probably had something to do with the recommendation of Mens Health because I believe it was around September when several retailers were selling out of the product. They couldn't keep them on the shelf.

When my "few a week" fix turned into one every day and eventually two or three per day, I started noticing some selling patters of retailers as well. Many of the convenience stores like Quick Trip (gas station/convenience store in the Mid West) were selling the 16 oz. Blue Monster 3 for $5. The price was a steal for the addict like me who was spending as much as $8 per day on three 16 oz drinks. Keeping them in stock at that price was impossible. Across the street from the Quick Trip, the Walgreens was selling the same product for $2.69 each and even at the increased price their supply was often depleted as well. The best price I have found so far is from WalMart. You can purchase an 8 pack for around $12.50, which is about $1.55 per 16 oz. drink. I can go through an 8 pack easily in 3 days if I drink conservatively (3 or less per day).

Trying to go for a day or two without having a Monster is hell. I become very moody and feel a severe lack of motivation. I become withdrawn from my day, feeling lazy and tired. After a short withdraw period, I will also start to experience severe headaches and sickness in my stomach, which I attribute to the caffeine withdrawal. I literally have to have them to function.

The benefits to having my daily Monster are huge to me. I have a hard time getting motivated in the morning and find myself wanted to go back to bed. Since I work at home, it's easy for me to choose to be lazy and take a nap on the couch if I'm not motivated. Fortunately, if I pop open a Monster shortly after breakfast, I find a surge of motivation that helps me start my day. I think the dehydration factor from the caffeine sets in after the first drink because after drinking one I get very thirsty and start craving another. It's similar to the concept of eating chips. You can never just eat one. The salt craving consumes you and before you know it, you've eaten the entire bag.

Monsters not only get me motivated, they seem to help me focus. Scientific research has proven that sufficient B complex vitamins, which are highly concentrated in the Monster Energy Drinks, are helpful in restoring your focus and mental clarity. After one or two Monsters, I feel like a completely different person.

As a freelance journalist, motivation, focus, and mental clarity are required for me to function on a daily basis. But I'm not the only one who has become dependent on the Blue Monster. Dan Myers of South Bend, Indiana confesses his addiction and exposes his irrational actions associated with consumption of the beverage in his article "Blue Monster: Addiction Verification." In his article he lists the following 6 things that confirm him as a true Blue Monster Addict:

" #1: I have been late to meetings because I had to stop and pick up a Monster on the way.

#2: I have taken 4 pictures since I got my new treo: 3 of them were pictures of monster.

#3: I have the Monster logo as the background on my phone.

#4: I have asked the person in charge of the drink supply in my office to keep an emergency supply on hand.

#5: I have been known to drink day-old, open, warm, flat Monster when necessary.

#6: I'm now sneaking cans of Monster into restaurants with me, ordering water to drink, and hiding the Monster behind the drink menu so I can sip and not get caught!"

SOURCES:

Dan Myers, Blue Monster, Addiction Verification, monster-blue.blogspot.com

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Topic: Rockstar (drink) & Monster Energy