The evidence for accelerated progression for certain groups suggests different prevention approaches for different individuals. Approaches may differ with regard to timing: we can identify periods of relative stability during which behaviors can be intervened upon. For example, girls and Blacks were more likely to have accelerated progression at the point of very heavy drinking, suggesting the importance of targeting these two groups prior to this stage. Among early onsetting youth who already consumed alcohol, there may opportunities to intervene before progression to more risky drinking, especially in the interval between first drink and getting drunk. The telescoping effect among those with later onset suggests that a critical period of risk [27] may occur during later adolescence, regardless of age of first drink.
