Children who are more likely to exhibit one or more anxiety disorders and/or clinical depression may be at increased risk for developing AUD (Cockerham et al. 1989; Crum et al. 2008; Vaglum et al. 1987; reviewed by Wesner 1990). Internalizing problems in childhood, particularly childhood separation anxiety disorder, have been found to be associated with later development of alcoholism (Brückl et al. 2007). Also, the time from first drink to a diagnosis of alcoholism is decreased in individuals with a childhood history of generalized anxiety disorder (Sartor et al. 2007), consistent with the idea that the emotional distress associated with depression and anxiety may drive adolescent substance use (Newcomb and Bentler 1989).
