We examined a low risk sample of middle school youth, with a focus on very early onset of drinking. Thus, our results may not generalize to later ages of initiation. Consistent with epidemiological data showing that the average age of initiation among underage drinkers is 16 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, 2011), a good portion of our sample had not yet consumed a full drink, and the hazard of initiating drinking continued to rise with sample age.
