Chunk #32 — PART 2: EXAMPLES OF THE QUESTIONS ADDRESSED WITH COGA DATA — Trajectories of use—Initiation, onset, offset, and predictors of patterns across time
The richness of the COGA longitudinal data allows characterization of drinking milestones, transitions across stage of AUD development, and patterns of use overtime. Consistent with earlier studies in the literature, 77 , 78 , 79 we have shown that age of first drink of alcohol is best predicted by multiple factors. In a multivariate model, we found that best friend alcohol use, a positive family history of having any adult family member in treatment for alcohol dependence, conduct disorder symptoms, and youth externalizing behavioral problems were associated with higher likelihood of earlier alcohol initiation, whereas youth social problems (e.g., friendship difficulties and loneliness) were associated with reduced likelihood of earlier alcohol initiation, underscoring the social component of youth alcohol initiation. 80 In addition, leveraging the multigenerational family‐based data, our team has shown that parental AUDs are associated not only with offspring initiation of alcohol use, but also with other risky behaviors, including offspring early involvement with cigarettes and cannabis use, and age at first consensual sexual intercourse. 81 Parental divorce/separation exerted additional effects on the early initiation of alcohol and
