Supplement to Pediatrics Examines the Developmental Nature of Underage Drinking

A supplement to Pediatrics is dedicated to the biological, behavioral, and environmental changes that foster the use of alcohol by underage youth. Recent research indicates that binge drinking is associated with the development of alcohol dependence later in life, and that the risk of alcohol dependence is related to how early drinking starts. Additional results reported include:

• patterns of onset, prevalence, and the course of alcohol use

• the relationship between early developmental processes and problem drinking

• pathways toward and away from underage drinking

• an examination of developmental processes in 10-15 year olds

• changes that typically occur in late adolescence and their impact on drinking

• evidence-based interventions for teens with alcohol use disorders

Comments:

Addressing alcohol use in young people is important to reduce harm for youth and to prevent harm among adults. This issue highlights robust research findings, but also points to the need for additional research to identify more effective preventive interventions.

Richard Saitz, MD, MPH

Reference:

Underage drinking: understanding and reducing risk in the context of human development. Pediatrics 2008; 121 (Supplement).