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News Releases |
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News Release 04/12/10 A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlights the need to curb underage drinking. According to the statement, which was released online April 12 in Pediatrics, despite the fact that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years, alcohol use and heavy drinking are extremely common during adolescence and young adulthood and are associated with a significantly increased risk for alcohol-related problems in adulthood. "Data from the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Study substantiated that the prevalence of both lifetime alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse show a striking decrease with increasing age at onset of use," the 6-member AAP Committee on Substance Abuse led by Patricia K. Kokotailo, MD, MPH, write. The study authors note that among individuals who first use alcohol at 12 years or younger the prevalence of lifetime alcohol dependence is 40.6%. In comparison, individuals who initiate alcohol use at the age of 18 years have a prevalence of lifetime dependence of 16.6%, whereas those who abstain until 21 years of age have a lifetime prevalence of 10.6%. Furthermore, the study authors report, the prevalence of lifetime alcohol abuse was 8.3% for those who initiated use at 12 years or younger, 7.8% for those who initiated at 18 years of age, and 4.8% for those who initiated at 21 years of age. The committee members also note that early alcohol use has been linked to greater sexual risk taking, academic difficulties, other substance use, and criminal or violent behavior. Further, they point out, alcohol use is also the primary contributor to the leading cause of adolescent death from motor vehicle crashes, homicide, and suicide in the United States. It is also associated with psychiatric disorders in youth, including depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, bulimia, and schizophrenia. Alcohol and other substances, say the study authors, likely have multiple adverse effects on the developing brain. Recent research, they write, suggests "that adolescents with an alcohol use disorder use fewer strategies to learn new information and demonstrate significantly reduced memory skills that continue to deteriorate with continued alcohol use." The statement's 16 recommendations highlight the need for additional research into the prevention, screening and identification, and effective treatment of alcohol use in young patients. Further, more specific recommendations on management tools and treatment programs will be available in an upcoming statement from the AAP on substance use screening, intervention, and referral for treatment. |
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