Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here

take action
For every $1 states spend dollar sign on substance misuse and addiction, 94 cents go to shovel up the consequences instead of for treatment and prevention. TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS

What Can I Do?



Continuing Education
Free online courses for addiction counselors LEARN ONLINE

Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP

 
Young Drinkers More Likely to Have Problems as Adults
October 28, 2004

Share Share Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
Research Summary

An analysis of the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health concludes that individuals who began drinking in their teens are more likely to have alcohol dependence or misuse problems as adults, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

According to the survey of 70,000 people, individuals who first used alcohol before age 15 were five times more likely to later become dependent on alcohol or have alcohol-related problems, such as trouble with the law due to alcohol or physical dangers.

"We now know the passage to alcohol abuse and dependence often begins during childhood and adolescence," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie. "Research has shown that alcohol dependence, while once thought to be an adult-onset disease, is actually developmental in nature. That is why underage-drinking prevention programs are a priority at SAMHSA."

According to the "Alcohol Dependence or Abuse and Age of First Use" report, of the 14 million adults aged 21 or older who were classified as having alcohol dependence or misuse in the past year, 95 percent had started drinking before age 21.

The data also showed that alcohol misuse and addiction were higher among people who started drinking at an early age and lowest among those who first consumed alcohol after age 21.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:
(Comments now appear first to last)

Your Turn! Post a public comment (guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 250
words)
Enter this word
(help):		 Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for everyone, please:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, brief, and on-topic. Comments are for discussion of the above article, not general rants or manifestos. Serial comments intended to circumvent the 250-word limit may be deleted.

  2. Do not post promotional web links, personal information or requests for assistance (get help).

  3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercial posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.