Alarming trend: boys start drinking at 13-14, says study

The average age when boys start drinking has dropped from 17 years in the early 2000s to 14 years now, according to a study.

A research paper published by the National Institute of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) says the average age, 28 years during the 1980s, declined to 17 years in 2007. Boys now start drinking when they are between 13 and 14, the study, conducted by four Nimhans doctors in 12 states, has found.

The deaddiction centre at Nimhans has treated 435 adolescents (13-17 years) over the last four years. Last year alone, the centre received 150 adolescents, with 50% seeking treatment for drink addiction. About 30% were addicted to smoking, 2% to heroin, 3% to cannabis, and 8% to inhalants such as petroleum. The rest were addicted to sedatives and medical substances.

“In fact, many more adolescents are not accounted for. Parents take two to three years to find out about the problem,” said Dr Bharath Holla, assistant professor (clinician scientist), Accelerator Program for Discovery in Brain Disorders Using Stem cells (ADBS).

He said adolescents are brought to hospital mostly when they display impulsiveness or lack of attention.

Every week, doctors see three to five patients between 13 and 15 years seeking treatment for addiction problems.

Dr Pratima Murthy, professor of psychiatry in charge of addiction medicine at Nimhans, attributed the trend of early drinking to the 'cohort effect.'

Cohort refers to a group of people with shared characteristics. "The pattern of adolescent drinking is seen over successive generations," she explained.

Dr Prathima names two main reasons for the trend: increased accessibility of liquor and less societal control.

“Risk-taking and thrill-seeking behaviour is common among teenagers. They become impulsive by the time they hit adolescence,” said Dr V Vandana, consultant psychiatrist, Vikram Hospital.

Psychiatric characteristics vary among teenagers addicted to drink: some become hyperactive and disruptive while others become depressed and withdrawn. Doctors say teens learn from watching their parents drinking, and are influenced by the media and peers.

Often behavioural changes in teenagers are dismissed, or attributed to hormonal changes. It is important for parents to see if the changes are part of normal growth or are caused by external factors such as drinking, doctors say.