Alcohol consumption among adolescents - Current results and trends

Abstract

Regular alcohol consumption endangers health and is associated with an increased risk of a variety of physical illnesses and mental disorders. This issue's interest is focused on alcohol consumption during adolescence since young people may be viewed as the most important target group for alcohol prevention measures. Attitudes toward alcohol, drinking motives and consumption patterns that form during adolescence often still exist in adulthood. Studies suggest that starting to drink early and excessive consumption of alcohol at a young age increases the probability of problematic alcohol consumption later in life and increases the risk of alcohol dependency.