Young drinkers 5 Times More Likely to Be Alcoholic
Early alcohol use in youth increases the likelihood of developing alcohol dependence at a later age, according to an analysis of data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).
- Nearly one-half (47%) of persons who began drinking before age 14 were alcohol dependent at some point in their lifetime, and
- 13% were dependent in the past year,
- compared to 9% and 2%, respectively, of those who began drinking after age 20.
Early drinking was also related to higher rates of dependence within 10 years of onset of drinking and dependence before age 25. These findings held after controlling for family history of alcohol and other relevant factors, suggesting that “this relationship may not be solely a by-product of greater risk-taking behavior among early drinkers reflected by tobacco or drug use or predisposing psychological characteristics or disordersâ€.
Percentage of U.S. Adults Aged 18 and Older Dependent on Alcohol, By Age of Drinking Onset
SOURCE: Adapted by CESAR from Hingson, R.W., Heeren, T., and Winter, M.R. “Age at Drinking Onset and Alcohol Dependence,†Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine160(7):739-746, 2006. From; ‘CESARFAX’ University of Maryland, Vol. 15, Issue 30
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