Relation between age of first drinking and mental health and alcohol and drug disorders in adulthood: evidence from a 35‐year cohort study

• DOI: 10.1111/add.13230
• Publication Date: 2015-11-14T05:50:44Z
• Authors: G. Newton‐Howes; J. M. Boden
• Keywords: Cannabis Dependence; Alcohol Dependence; Depression; Substance dependence

To estimate associations between age of first drinking (AFD) and alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, cannabis illicit drug major depression anxiety disorder in adulthood, net a series covariate factors.Data were obtained from longitudinal birth cohort.Christchurch, New Zealand.The Christchurch Health Development Study (CHDS), study cohort born 1977 studied to 35 years. Analysis samples ranged size 1056 (ages 11-13 years) 962 (age years); 50.2% the total sample was male.A measure AFD 5-13+ generated using latent class analysis. Outcome measures included: depression, disorders, dependence other during period 15-35 Covariate factors measured childhood included family socio-economic status, functioning, parental alcohol-related attitudes/behaviours individual factors.Earlier associated significantly (P < 0.05) with increased risk later marginally 0.10) but not or disorder. After controlling for factors, outcomes no longer statistically significant [alcohol disorder: B = -0.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.22, 0.08; dependence: -0.15, CI -0.34, 0.04; -0.29, -0.73, 0.15; -0.05, -0.31, 0.22].The alcohol/drug disorders appear be accounted at least some degree by related characteristics childhood.