The present study dissects the transition from any alcohol use to treatment entry into several smaller transitions by examining the attainment of and progression through five drinking milestones that demonstrate variability in level of risk on the basis of drinking frequency and intensity. Most research on drinking onset has used national or community samples, and research on progression has generally used prospective community or high-risk samples, which is necessary for most of the sample to reach these drinking milestones. However, little is known about progression of drinking milestones in treated adolescents, who reach these milestones relatively quickly (leading to treatment in adolescence). It is hypothesized that youth with early drinking onset will be more likely to attain milestones but will have a slower rate of accruing milestones. In addition, boys and White youth are expected to have greater likelihood of attaining early milestones whereas girls and nonWhite youth are hypothesized to progress more rapidly through the milestones.
