Early-onset alcohol-use behaviors and subsequent alcohol-related driving risks in young women: a twin study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to estimate associations between early-onset alcohol use/intoxication and subsequent risks of alcohol-related driving risks in young women after control for familial liability for these behaviors.


METHODS
Self-reported data on alcohol use and associated risks were collected from a representative sample of 3,786 Missouri-born adolescent female twins.


RESULTS
After statistical control for familial liability to alcohol-related driving risks, alcohol dependence, and length of exposure to risk (i.e., time between the earlier of age at onset of drinking or age 16 [the minimum legal driving age in Missouri]), young women who reported early-onset alcohol use/intoxication had odds of alcohol-related driving risks that were from 1.6 to 2.2 times higher than those with a later onset of alcohol use or intoxication.


CONCLUSIONS
Young women who commence drinking at an early age are at heightened risks for subsequent alcohol-related driving risks, and these associations cannot be explained entirely by familial liability for these behaviors.
Lynskey
Michael T
MT
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 4560 Clayton Road, Suite 1000, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. mlynskey@wustl.edu
Bucholz
Kathleen K
KK
Madden
Pamela A F
PA
Heath
Andrew C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012309:Risk-Taking