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Younger Chronic Drinkers Less Likely to Seek
Treatment for Alcohol Related Problems
Brief Description:
Youngsters who are alcohol dependent before they turn 25 are less likely
to seek treatment than those who become alcohol dependent at age 30
or older according to a study by the National Institute on Alcohol
Abuse and Alcoholism.
Transcript:
AKINSO: Youngsters who are alcohol dependent before
they turn 25 are less likely to seek treatment than those who become
alcohol dependent at age 30 or older according to a study by the National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. They also are more likely
to have multiple dependence episodes of longer duration and are likely
to meet more dependence diagnostic criteria than those who become alcohol
dependent later in life, according to Dr. Ralph Hingson, NIAAA's Director
of the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research.
HINGSON: I think that the conventional view that many
people have is that alcoholism is a problem of people who are in their
middle age. What this indicates is that actually people are diagnosable
with alcohol dependence at a much, much younger age. And it emphasizes
the need for prevention that parents need to be vigilant, set clear standards
for their children monitor their behavior, make sure there's open communication
and involve children in family activities. We know parents can make a difference
in reducing or preventing alcohol problems among young people.>
AKINSO: Dr. Hingson said that marital, family, or work
responsibilities among young drinkers may help explain why persons who
can be diagnosed with alcohol dependence at early ages are less likely
to recognize and seek treatment for their drinking-related problems.
HINGSON: People who start to drink at a young age and
who become dependent at a young age are more likely to be unintentionally
injured under the influence of alcohol both during adolescence and adult
life, to be in motor vehicle crashes because of drinking both during
adolescence and adult life, and to be in physical fights after drinking
both during adolescence and adult life. Why is that important? It's important
because injuries are the leading cause of deaths in the United States
for people ages 1 through 44. CDC estimates that there are approximately
40,000 injury deaths every year in the United States attributable to
alcohol. So we need to make sure that our legal drinking age is enforced
and that parents set clear standards for young people and that our health
care providers are vigilant about this, inquiring adolescent patients
about their drinking and apprise them of the increase risks that are
associated with starting to drink at a younger age and increase risk
of developing alcohol dependence at a very young age.
AKINSO: Dr. Hingson said drinking at an early age predicts
early onset of dependence, which in turn is associated with chronic,
relapsing dependence. He believes that screening and brief motivational
counseling can reduce alcohol-related problems among adolescents and
college students who are heavy drinkers and that such counseling needs
to be made more available. This is Wally Akinso at the National Institutes
of Health Bethesda, Maryland.
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| Date: 09/08/2006 |
Reporter:
Wally Akinso |
Sound
Bite:
Dr. Ralph Hingson |
Topic:
Alcohol Abuse |
| Institute(s): NIAAA |
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