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Predicting persistent alcohol problems: a prospective analysis from the Great Smoky Mountain Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 December 2011

W. E. Copeland ,
A. Angold ,
L. Shanahan ,
J. Dreyfuss ,
I. Dlamini  and
E. J. Costello
W. E. Copeland*
Affiliation:
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
A. Angold
Affiliation:
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
L. Shanahan
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC, USA
J. Dreyfuss
Affiliation:
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
I. Dlamini
Affiliation:
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY, USA
E. J. Costello
Affiliation:
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: W. E. Copeland, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3454, Durham NC 27710, USA. (Email: William.Copeland@duke.edu)
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Abstract

Background

Rates of alcohol disorders peak in late adolescence and decrease substantially into the mid-20s. Our aim was to identify risk factors that predict alcohol problems that persist into the mid-20s.

Method

Data are from the prospective, population-based Great Smoky Mountains Study (GSMS; n=1420), which followed children through late adolescence and into young adulthood. Alcohol persisters were defined as subjects with an alcohol disorder (abuse or dependence) in late adolescence (ages 19 and 21 years) that continued to meet criteria for an alcohol disorder at the mid-20s assessment.

Results

The 3-month prevalence of having an alcohol disorder (abuse or dependence) decreased markedly from late adolescence into the mid-20s. A third of late adolescents with an alcohol disorder continued to meet criteria for an alcohol disorder in young adulthood (37 of 144 who met criteria in late adolescence). Risk factors for persister status included multiple alcohol abuse criteria during late adolescence but no alcohol dependence criteria. Risk factors for persister status also included associated features of alcohol dependence such as craving alcohol and drinking to unconsciousness. Persister status was also associated with depression, cannabis dependence and illicit substance use, but not with other psychiatric disorders. More than 90% of late adolescents with three or more of the risk factors identified met criteria for a young adult alcohol disorder.

Conclusions

Symptoms of alcohol abuse, not dependence, best predict long-term persistence of alcohol problems. The set of risk factors identified may be a useful screen for selective and indicated prevention efforts.

Keywords

Adolescencealcohol abusealcohol dependencerisk factorsyoung adulthood
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 42 , Issue 9 , September 2012 , pp. 1925 - 1935
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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