By age 17, most U.S. adolescents (54%–78%) have consumed alcohol, and a significant proportion (15%) meet the criteria for alcohol abuse (Merikangas et al., 2010; NSDUH, 2012; Swendsen et al., 2012). Patterns of alcohol use that begin in adolescence are important determinants for the development of alcohol use disorders during adulthood (Grant et al., 2006; Pitkanen et al., 2005). Therefore, understanding factors that contribute to early drinking behaviors is critical for disease prevention.
