217642 Race and sex differences in age at drinking onset and development of alcohol dependence

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 9:24 AM - 9:42 AM

Anika A. H. Alvanzo, MD, MS , Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Carla L. Storr, MPH, ScD , Department of Family and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
Lareina La Flair, MPH , Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Kerry M. Green, PhD , Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Rosa Crum, MD MHS , Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
     
Background: Multiple studies have shown that risk for lifetime alcohol dependence is higher in those who initiated drinking at an earlier age; however, few studies have examined this relationship by sex and race subgroups. The purpose of this study is to investigate sex and race differences in age at first drink and development of alcohol dependence. Methods: This study uses data from Wave I of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative sample of 43,093 adults. Those meeting DSM-IV criteria for lifetime alcohol dependence (12.5%) were included in the current analyses. Linear regression was used to compare men and women and Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics on ages at first drink and onset of dependence. Results: Women were significantly older than men at drinking onset (17.4 vs. 16.5, p <.001), yet there were no differences in mean age of development of alcohol dependence (24.4 vs. 23. 9, p = .140). Thus, preliminary results suggest the time course from first drink to dependence is shorter for women. Whites and Hispanics were significantly younger than Blacks at drinking onset (16.8, 16.7, and 17.5, p < .001) and at development of alcohol dependence (23.8, 23.8, 27.0, p < .001), demonstrating a longer time course from first drink to dependence for Blacks. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates age differences, at drinking onset as well as differences in the time lag between initiation of alcohol and development of alcohol dependence. The implications for the prevention of alcohol dependence are presented.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
Explain sex differences in the trajectory from onset of drinking to development of alcohol dependence. Explain race differences in the trajectory from onset of drinking to development of alcohol dependence.

Keywords: Alcoholism, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I oversee health services at an outpatient substance abuse treatment program and have been engaged in addictions research for several years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3000.0: Alcohol Epidemiology: Special Populations and Groups