Teen drinking: Early alcohol use doubles the risk of premature death
Specialists have discovered a link between life expectancy and alcohol consumption during teenage years. Abusing alcohol before turning fifteen almost doubles the risk of early death.
20 September 2024 17:16
Scientists from a university in Florida studied almost 15,000 people. They demonstrated that alcohol consumption after the age of 15 increases the risk of premature death by 20 per cent.
The research, which began in 1980, included individuals aged 15 to 47 who were asked about their alcohol habits and the age they started drinking. The data obtained were studied for an extended period. The analysis lasted three decades.
Although the causes remain uncertain and future studies are warranted, findings from this study suggest that early drunkenness is a strong predictor for premature mortality and can be used to identify high-risk populations for interventions - says the lead author of the study, Dr Hui Hu.
Early alcohol consumption is a significant risk for future alcoholism
The statistics are alarming. 37 per cent of people who drank before the age of 15 suffer from alcoholism in adulthood. In contrast, among those who did not drink in their youth, the percentage of alcoholics is only 11 per cent. Researchers from Florida emphasise that early alcohol consumption can lead to the development of tendencies toward risky behaviours.
During the study, 26 per cent of people who drank in their youth died. For comparison, 23 per cent of those who started drinking later died, and 19 per cent of non-drinkers died. The reason is apparent. Scientists unanimously point out that the leading cause of earlier deaths is alcoholism.
Consuming alcohol at a young age affects a range of health-related problems. Abusing high-proof drinks significantly disrupts the maturation process and hinders the proper functioning of the nervous system.
