Why is adolescence a key period of alcohol initiation and who is prone to develop long-term problem use?: A review of current available data

Early adolescence is a key developmental period for the initiation of alcohol use, and consumption among adolescents is characterized by drinking in high quantities. At the same time, adolescence is characterized by rapid biological transformations including dramatic changes in the brain, particular...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 21890
Main Authors:	Petit, Géraldine, Kornreich, Charles, Verbanck, Paul, Cimochowska, Agnieska, Campanella, Salvatore
Format:	Journal Article Book Review
Language:	English
Published:	United States Taylor & Francis 01-01-2013 Taylor & Francis Ltd Co-Action Publishing
Subjects:	adolescent alcohol Alcohol use Brain and Addiction brain development Children & youth dependence risk factors Studies Teenagers alcohol brain development adolescent dependence risk factors
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Early adolescence is a key developmental period for the initiation of alcohol use, and consumption among adolescents is characterized by drinking in high quantities. At the same time, adolescence is characterized by rapid biological transformations including dramatic changes in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. This article begins with an overview of the unique neural and behavioural characteristics of adolescent development that predispose these individuals to seek rewards and take risks such as initiation of drinking and high levels of alcohol intake. The authors then outline important factors associated with an increased risk for developing alcohol problems in later adolescence and young adulthood. Thereafter they address causality and the complex interplay of risk factors that lead to the development of alcohol use problems in late adolescence and young adults. A few recommendations for the prevention of underage drinking are presented.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	2000-9011 2000-9011
DOI:	10.3402/snp.v3i0.21890