Early Alcohol Initiation Increases Risk Related to Drinking Among College Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of age of alcohol initiation on current alcohol use and alcohol-related problems in a diverse college student sample. Participants (N = 214) completed a questionnaire assessing attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral habits regarding alcohol and other drugs. Early alcohol initiation (alcohol use before age 15) was more strongly associated with frequent binge drinking in college and positive alcohol perceptions than later initiation. Early initiators used other drugs at earlier ages and were more likely to have used marijuana in the past month than either middle (ages 15–17) or late (ages 18 or older) initiators. Ethnic differences, but no gender differences, were observed. Implications for prevention, intervention, and education are discussed.