Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Heavy drinking in adolescence may lead to alcoholism in adulthood
By Staff Writer
The results of a recent study on alcoholism indicate that individuals who experience drinking-related problems during adolescence may be at a high risk of developing an addiction to alcohol just a few years later.
To gain these results, researchers used the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI), which is a questionnaire used to assess problems related to adolescent drinking. In the study, the researchers assessed 597 Finnish twins at age 18 using RAPI, then conducted a follow-up interview when the participants were 25 to assess their level of alcohol dependence.
Based on this research, it was found that the more drinking-related problems an individual experienced at are 18, the more likely they were of being diagnosed with alcoholism seven years later. The link was more prevalent among females than males.
Though it appeared that adolescent drinking can lead to an addiction in adulthood, the researchers believe that this may reflect a willingness to transgress social norms. Those who consume heavy amounts of alcohol in their youth may also drink abusively in adulthood.
In addition, the researchers believe that RAPI can be used to identify a risk of alcohol dependence following adolescence. Due to these findings, they feel that heavy drinking during adolescence is a sign that an individual should seek substance abuse help.
