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

Publication ,  Journal Article
Copeland, WE; Angold, A; Shanahan, L; Dreyfuss, J; Dlamini, I; Costello, EJ
Published in: Psychol Med
September 2012

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.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Psychol Med

DOI

EISSN

1469-8978

Publication Date

September 2012

Volume

42

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1925 / 1935

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Sex Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Psychiatry
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prognosis
  • Prevalence
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
 

Citation

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Copeland, W. E., Angold, A., Shanahan, L., Dreyfuss, J., Dlamini, I., & Costello, E. J. (2012). Predicting persistent alcohol problems: a prospective analysis from the Great Smoky Mountain Study. Psychol Med, 42(9), 1925–1935. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291711002790
Copeland, W. E., A. Angold, L. Shanahan, J. Dreyfuss, I. Dlamini, and E. J. Costello. “Predicting persistent alcohol problems: a prospective analysis from the Great Smoky Mountain Study.Psychol Med 42, no. 9 (September 2012): 1925–35. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291711002790.
Copeland WE, Angold A, Shanahan L, Dreyfuss J, Dlamini I, Costello EJ. Predicting persistent alcohol problems: a prospective analysis from the Great Smoky Mountain Study. Psychol Med. 2012 Sep;42(9):1925–35.
Copeland, W. E., et al. “Predicting persistent alcohol problems: a prospective analysis from the Great Smoky Mountain Study.Psychol Med, vol. 42, no. 9, Sept. 2012, pp. 1925–35. Pubmed, doi:10.1017/S0033291711002790.
Copeland WE, Angold A, Shanahan L, Dreyfuss J, Dlamini I, Costello EJ. Predicting persistent alcohol problems: a prospective analysis from the Great Smoky Mountain Study. Psychol Med. 2012 Sep;42(9):1925–1935.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychol Med

DOI

EISSN

1469-8978

Publication Date

September 2012

Volume

42

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1925 / 1935

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Sex Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Psychiatry
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prognosis
  • Prevalence
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies