Self-reported alcohol consumption among adolescents and the signification of early onset. A longitudinal approach.

A cohort study of 327 French adolescents was carried out from 1983 to 1985 to investigate 1) the prevalence, incidence and remission rates of alcohol consumption 2) the significance of alcohol consumption before age 16 and its evolution. Among the young people with high alcohol consumption at age 16 (20%), 40% (30% among boys, 68% among girls) decrease their consumption at age 17 or 18. There are great differences between problem drinkers at age 16, and the others. They reveal more risky behaviour, more psychosomatic symptoms and have a more active life style. Even if they decrease their alcohol consumption between age 16 and their 18, their behaviour and psychosomatic problems persist.