Late adolescence (ie, 16–20 years of age) is a period characterized by escalation of drinking and alcohol use problems for many and by the onset of an alcohol use disorder for some. This heightened period of vulnerability is a joint consequence of the continuity of risk from earlier developmental stages and the unique neurologic, cognitive, and social changes that occur in late adolescence. We review the normative neurologic, cognitive, and social changes that typically occur in late adolescence, and we discuss the evidence for the impact of these transitions on individual drinking trajectories. We also describe evidence linking alcohol abuse in late adolescence with neurologic damage and social impairments, and we discuss whether these are the bases for the association of adolescent drinking with increased risks of mental health, substance abuse, and social problems in adulthood. Finally, we discuss both the challenges and successes in the treatment and prevention of adolescent drinking problems.
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Supplement Article|
April 01 2008
A Developmental Perspective on Alcohol and Youths 16 to 20 Years of Age
Sandra A. Brown, PhD;
Departments of aPsychology and
Address correspondence to Sandra Brown, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr, MC0109, La Jolla, CA 92093-0109. E-mail: sanbrown@ucsd.edu
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Matthew McGue, PhD;
Matthew McGue, PhD
Departments of bPsychology and
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Jennifer Maggs, PhD;
Jennifer Maggs, PhD
cDepartment of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;
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John Schulenberg, PhD;
John Schulenberg, PhD
dinstitute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;
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Ralph Hingson, ScD;
Ralph Hingson, ScD
fPsychiatry, University of California, San Diego, California;
eNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland;
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Scott Swartzwelder, PhD;
Scott Swartzwelder, PhD
gDepartment of Psychology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina;
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Christopher Martin, PhD;
Christopher Martin, PhD
hDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
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Tammy Chung, PhD;
Tammy Chung, PhD
hDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
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Susan F. Tapert, PhD;
Susan F. Tapert, PhD
fPsychiatry, University of California, San Diego, California;
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Kenneth Sher, PhD;
Kenneth Sher, PhD
iDepartment of Psychological Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri;
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Ken C. Winters, PhD;
Ken C. Winters, PhD
jPsychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota;
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Cherry Lowman, PhD;
Cherry Lowman, PhD
eNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland;
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Stacia Murphy, PhD
Stacia Murphy, PhD
kNational Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, St Louis, Missouri
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Address correspondence to Sandra Brown, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr, MC0109, La Jolla, CA 92093-0109. E-mail: sanbrown@ucsd.edu
Pediatrics (2008) 121 (Supplement_4): S290–S310.
Article history
Accepted:
November 27 2007
Citation
Sandra A. Brown, Matthew McGue, Jennifer Maggs, John Schulenberg, Ralph Hingson, Scott Swartzwelder, Christopher Martin, Tammy Chung, Susan F. Tapert, Kenneth Sher, Ken C. Winters, Cherry Lowman, Stacia Murphy; A Developmental Perspective on Alcohol and Youths 16 to 20 Years of Age. Pediatrics April 2008; 121 (Supplement_4): S290–S310. 10.1542/peds.2007-2243D
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