Teens and young adults who experience social problems related to alcohol may be at risk of relatively rapid development of alcohol use disorder (AUD), a new study suggests. Other behaviors that meet certain diagnostic criteria may also warn of the potential for an accelerated transition from a first drink to the disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), a clinical guide to psychiatric disorders, outlines 11 criteria for AUD.
Anyone meeting two or more of the criteria qualifies for an AUD diagnosis. Emerging adulthood is a critical period for the development of AUD, and understanding the transition from early drinking through increasing consumption can help identify targets for prevention and intervention. Research on the emergence of AUD criteria and their relationship to AUD onset is relatively slight and does not provide much insight into the experiences of today's youth.
For a new study in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research , investigators examined AUD criteria that emerged among young drinkers and explored how those related to the development of full-blown AUD. The investigators worked with 565 young adults in Australia. The participants were aged 18–21 when the study began and reported regular drinking or semi-regular binge drinking.
They were assessed five times over 2.5 years via phone interviews with clinical psychologists . Initially, they were asked at what age they had their first full drink.
At each interview, they reported on their drinkin.
