Trends in Initiation of Alcohol Use in the United States 1975 to 2003

Abstract

A more nuanced understanding of the initiation of drinking can have important implications for prevention.

Ethnicity and Adolescent Pathways to Alcohol Use

“…In another study, the percentage of drinkers exceeding the daily drinking limit for 18-to 24-year-olds was highest for whites, followed by Hispanics, and then blacks (Chen et al, 2004(Chen et al, /2005. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among youth (ages 12-20) who reported drinking, whites had an earlier average age at initiation compared with Hispanics and blacks (Faden, 2006).…”

The Longitudinal Influence of Physical Activity on Adolescent Alcohol Use

“…However, what is unique and lends support to focusing on middle adolescence is that studies show increases in initiation and use of alcohol during this transitional period (Faden, 2006;SAMSHA, 2008;. At the same time, particularly specific to overall substance use research, most has focused on late adolescence and the transition from high school to college.…”

“…However, the transition out of middle school into high school is just as critical. What is quite unique and lends support to focusing on middle adolescence is studies show that increases in initiation and use of alcohol are evident during this transitional period (Faden, 2006;SAMHSA, 2008;Windle et al, 2009). Moreover, as will be discussed in the review of the literature, there is also a simultaneous decrease in physical activity during middle adolescence (Singh et al 2006).…”

“…The peak years of alcohol initiation are 7 th and 8 th grades (Faden, 2006) with the prevalence of consumption rising steeply during adolescence until it plateaus at about age 21 (USDHHS, 2007).…”

“…All of these variables play a role during adolescence. However, the ability to examine the interplay among these variables during middle adolescence where there is a simultaneous increase in the onset and frequency of drinking (Chassin, Flora, & King, 2004;Faden, 2006;Johnston, O'Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2009) …”