Age trends in drinking behaviors among adolescents and young adults by gender and race/ethnicity: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 1999-2005

Background: NIAAA's Five-Year Strategic Plan emphasizes research on the effects of drinking on health across the lifespan. Its focus on youth drinking is particularly imperative because early age drinking poses risks for problem drinking and other health consequences at later ages. The objective of this study is to identify critical ages of drinking among adolescents and young adults by gender and race/ethnicity.

Methods: This study combined data from the NSDUH for 1999–2005 (N=273,758 for ages 12–29). Joinpoint analysis, conducted by gender and race/ethnicity, was used to identify age segments that are significantly different on drinking measures (e.g., prevalence of current drinking, heavier drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol dependence; average quantity and frequency).

Results: Findings indicated gender and race/ethnicity differences across all measures. For Whites, prevalence measures generally peaked at age 21, with additional joinpoints around 15 and 18 (e.g., binge drinking increased by 134%, 37%, and 13% per year during age segments 12–15, 15–18, and 18–21, respectively, and then decreased by 5% per year after 21). By contrast, drinking measures for Black males continued to increase after age 21 (e.g., binge drinking increased by 56% per year during 12–19 and 6% per year after 19).

Conclusions: Ages 15, 18 and 21 marked distinctive age segments for changes in drinking behaviors. Because the rates of increase in drinking measures are greatest during age 12–15, prevention efforts should generally target very young ages. For Black males, prevention efforts also need to target older ages.