Adult alcoholism linked with adolescent binge drinking

A recent study has discovered a solid link between adolescent-age binge drinking and adult alcoholism.

In the psychology world of complicated cause-and-effect questions and possible confounding variables, IU Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard Rose has led a 25-year study that is taking previous knowledge one step further: binge drinking, already known to be dangerous, might have lasting consequences on its abusers.

Using what is known as the “co-twin control model,” Rose explained the study was conducted on a group of 2,5OO Finnish twin pairs, all starting at age 18. Within each set of twins, one drank heavily, often engaging in high-density consumption on weekends, while the other did not. At 25, the twins, exposed to the same external circumstances and sharing the same genetic structure, were evaluated for differences.

The study found that the more heavy-drinking incidents experienced at age 18, the greater the dependence on alcoholism at age 25.

These incidents were determined by what is known as the Rutgers Alcohol Problem
Index.

“The RAPI is an 18-item (originally 23-item) self-administered screening tool for assessing adolescent problem drinking. It was developed in order to create a conceptually sound, one-dimensional, relatively brief and easily administered instrument to assess problem drinking in adolescence,” according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, who funded the study.

In simpler terms, RAPI is a self-given questionnaire. Taken 10 times a year, this questionnaire helped establish the drinking habits of the twins and thus provided the connection between the twin involved in alcohol abuse to the same twin with later-life alcohol problems, Rose said.

“The association is very striking,” Rose said. “The study’s findings show that binge drinking can have lasting consequences on adolescents since they are very vulnerable to the effects of alcohol; their brains are still rapidly developing.”

Furthermore, the study also found that the association between binge drinking and later alcoholism was stronger in girls than in boys. Though there is yet no certain reason as to why, Rose said he guessed that it is because females are physically more vulnerable to alcohol, in addition to social pressures.

Dr. Nancy Stockton, director of Psychological and Counseling Services at the IU Health Center, said she thinks this new study will definitely bolster many of the services they already offer.

“Effective treatment approaches today to alcohol and drug use rest on principles of risk reduction and engaging the person to find intrinsic motivation to reduce problematic substance use,” she said.

“For some students this may mean, ‘I don’t want an alcohol-related arrest to reduce my chances of getting into a professional school.’ So we would include the new information as we work with students on reducing these risks and thinking about their adolescent-use patterns.”

Rose said he believes the greatest concern of the study is that around the world, whether in Finland or in the United States, adolescents are drinking more and at earlier ages, with many beginning at age 14. The danger of this practice is becoming increasingly visible.

“It (the study) carries a sobering message, (it is) that ‘binge drinking’ has serious risks, and they are not just short-term consequences such as stumbling in the street. There are long-lasting consequences,” he said. “It’s not just a phase.”