@article{BlomeyerFriemelBuchmannetal.2013,
  author    = {Blomeyer, Dorothea and Friemel, Chris M. and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Banaschewski, Tobias and Laucht, Manfred and Schneider, Miriam},
  title     = {Impact of pubertal stage at first drink on adult drinking behavior},
  series = {Alcoholism : clinical and experimental research ; the official journal of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and the Research Society on Alcoholism},
  volume    = {37},
  journal   = {Alcoholism : clinical and experimental research ; the official journal of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and the Research Society on Alcoholism},
  number    = {10},
  publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell},
  address   = {Hoboken},
  issn      = {0145-6008},
  doi       = {10.1111/acer.12154},
  pages     = {1804 -- 1811},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {BackgroundEarly alcohol use is one of the strongest predictors of later alcohol use disorders, with early use usually taking place during puberty. Many researchers have suggested drinking during puberty as a potential biological basis of the age at first drink (AFD) effect. However, the influence of the pubertal phase at alcohol use initiation on subsequent drinking in later life has not been examined so far. MethodsPubertal stage at first drink (PSFD) was determined in N=283 young adults (131 males, 152 females) from an epidemiological cohort study. At ages 19, 22, and 23years, drinking behavior (number of drinking days, amount of alcohol consumed, hazardous drinking) was assessed using interview and questionnaire methods. Additionally, an animal study examined the effects of pubertal or adult ethanol (EtOH) exposure on voluntary EtOH consumption in later life in 20 male Wistar rats. ResultsPSFD predicted drinking behavior in humans in early adulthood, indicating that individuals who had their first drink during puberty displayed elevated drinking levels compared to those with postpubertal drinking onset. These findings were corroborated by the animal study, in which rats that received free access to alcohol during the pubertal period were found to consume more alcohol as adults, compared to the control animals that first came into contact with alcohol during adulthood. ConclusionsThe results point to a significant role of stage of pubertal development at first contact with alcohol for the development of later drinking habits. Possible biological mechanisms and implications for prevention are discussed.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BlomeyerBuchmannSchmidetal.2011,
  author    = {Blomeyer, Dorothea and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Schmid, Brigitte and Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine and Schmidt, Martin H. and Banaschewski, Tobias and Laucht, Manfred},
  title     = {Age at first drink moderates the impact of current stressful life events on drinking behavior in young adults},
  series = {Alcoholism : clinical and experimental research ; the official journal of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and the Research Society on Alcoholism},
  volume    = {35},
  journal   = {Alcoholism : clinical and experimental research ; the official journal of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and the Research Society on Alcoholism},
  number    = {6},
  publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell},
  address   = {Malden},
  issn      = {0145-6008},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01447.x},
  pages     = {1142 -- 1148},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Background: Recent evidence from animal experiments and studies in humans suggests that early age at first drink (AFD) may lead to higher stress-induced drinking. The present study aimed to extend these findings by examining whether AFD interacted with stressful life events (SLE) and/or with daily hassles regarding the impact on drinking patterns among young adults. Method: In 306 participants of an epidemiological cohort study, AFD was assessed together with SLE during the past 3 years, daily hassles in the last month, and drinking behavior at age 22. As outcome variables, 2 variables were derived, reflecting different aspects of alcohol use: the amount of alcohol consumed in the last month and the drinking frequency, indicated by the number of drinking days in the last month. Results: Linear regression models revealed an interaction effect between the continuous measures of AFD and SLE on the amount of alcohol consumed. The earlier young adults had their first alcoholic drink and the higher the levels of SLE they were exposed to, the disproportionately more alcohol they consumed. Drinking frequency was not affected by an interaction of these variables, while daily hassles and their interaction with AFD were unrelated to drinking behavior. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of early age at drinking onset as a risk factor for later heavy drinking under high load of SLE. Prevention programs should aim to raise age at first contact with alcohol. Additionally, support in stressful life situations and the acquisition of effective coping strategies might prevent heavy drinking in those with earlier drinking onset.},
  language  = {en}
}