A study, the results of which were published in the medical journal, Pediatrics, reports that about 12 1/2% of adults in the U.S. have met the criteria, as set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, for alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.
The gist of the report, however, is that the younger a person is alcohol dependent, the less chance there is that he or she will pursue a course of treatment. In addition, if the alcoholic chooses to be treated, then those who were alcohol dependent before age 18 were three times more likely to wait ten years or more to seek treatment than those with an onset of dependence after age 30.
Also noted was that 58% of those who met the criteria for alcohol dependence prior to age 18 were drunk at least once a week as opposed to 19% of those who were first dependent at age 30 or more.
The researchers concluded that "because episodes of heavy drinking are more common among youth in general, those with early dependence onset and their family and friends may be less likely to recognize their dependence."
So, maybe we should be thinking that "normal" experimentation by our teenagers may not be "normal."
Posted by Bill at September 7, 2006 10:27 AMas I was reading that I came to the same conclusion as you. In my late teens and early 20s I drank a lot. The reason why I stopped was because I moved and changed my group of 'friends'. I dread to think where I'd be today if I hadn't
Posted by: Anji at September 7, 2006 11:05 AMI agree somewhat with Anji here. When I was a youngster, I was allowed sips of wine every now and then, in the company of an adult. During my college years, I drank socially with friends. I did the "drink all night at the campus party" thing, same as all the others. The truth is, none of us (me, or my friends from school) have problems with alcohol abuse today. I cannot speak for my friends, however, I personally have been very careful with the use of alcohol because I have alcoholism running rampant in both sides of my family. Having said this, I agree with Anji in that, young kids begin doing things in their circles of friends, for whatever reasons, without giving much thought to their family history or other such important issues. When they start young, it is all about them and their friends. They are infallible (in their minds) and they are "just hanging out and havin' a good time". Sometimes I think that "hangin' out" thing turns on these kids before they even know what hits them. So many things play in to why some people become addicted to alcohol or cigarettes, or other drugs; it is difficult, to say the least. I do believe, however, the younger a person is when "habits" begin, the harder they are to break. You know I mean addiction when I say habits. Hugs to ya' Bill
Posted by: Trace at September 7, 2006 06:00 PMTrace: Well said. Our family's alchohol problems were in the future then, I wonder how I would have acted if I'd have known.
Posted by: Anji at September 8, 2006 04:40 AM