Alcohol Use and Disorders among Youth

Michael Windle

The use of alcohol is a common experience among youth, with recent national survey data indicating rates of lifetime use of alcohol at 78% for 12th graders (high school seniors), 65% for 10th graders, and 47% for 8th graders. Recent economic analyses have indicated that alcohol consumption among underage drinkers (defined as age 12–20 years) accounted for almost 20% of consumer expenditures for alcohol in the United States and that the cost associated with underage drinking was approximately $53 billion per year (Foster, Vaughan, Foster, & Califano, 2003). The cost was estimated on the basis of negative consequences associated with drinking, including alcohol-related traffic crashes, violent crime, suicide attempts, and alcohol poisonings (Levy, Miller, & Cox, 1999). Although alcohol use increases rapidly in early and middle adolescence relative to earlier phases in the life span, it is important to note that developmentally important non-alcohol-use processes precede actual use. For example, ...

Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.