Young people and women are more vulnerable to alcohol

Alcohol consumption affects women and children more than men, because of their lower body-weight. Women also have a lower percentage of body water, which makes them relatively more vulnerable to alcohol than men. Young people are additionally affected by their lack of experience and by their still developing body. Heavy consumption during adolescence is a predictor of harmful consumption in early adulthood (Anderson & Baumberg, 2006).

Multiple genes linked to alcohol dependence and risky consumption

There are many genes that play a role in the development of high-risk drinking or alcohol dependence. Genes can, for instance, determine differences in the metabolism of alcohol or in the reaction of the brain to alcohol (NIAAA, 2003). Between 50% and 60% of alcohol dependence is suggested to be hereditary (Anderson & Baumberg, 2006).

Alcohol-related mortality and dependence higher among lower socio-economic groups

Smoking and alcohol consumption closely linked

There is a strong correlation between tobacco and alcohol. People who drink are very likely to smoke and vice versa (Drobes, 2002). Heavy smokers are also more likely to be heavy drinkers (Anderson & Baumberg, 2006). For more information about the impact of smoking on a person's health see Smoking.

Depression, mood disorders and alcohol dependence show comorbidity

People with depression and mood disorders have an increased risk of developing alcohol dependence and vice versa (Anderson & Baumberg, 2006). There is sustained evidence for comorbidity, and co-occurrence is consistently detected throughout the world. The disorder that has the closest link to alcohol dependence is depression: alcohol-dependent individuals have a two to three-fold higher risk of developing depressive disorders (Merikangas et al., 1998; Rehm et al., 2004). Also see Mental Health in the EU.

Several environmental factors are associated with consumption patterns

Several environmental factors are associated with early, high and/or risky alcohol consumption. On a smaller scale these include the availability of alcohol (price and access), alcohol advertising, parenting and peer pressure (Bellis et al., 2007; Chaloupka et al., 2002; Hearst et al., 2007; Saffer & Dave, 2006). On a larger scale different drinking cultures can result in different drinking patterns and more risky patterns can result in more acute outcomes (for more information on drinking patters, see Occurrence and for more information on outcomes, see Consequences for individuals and society).

Young people mainly have social reasons to drink

Young people name mostly social reasons when asked why they drink. Kuntsche et al. concluded from an analysis of different studies that most adolescents have social motives for drinking and that social motives are associated with moderate drinking. Both enhancement motives, in the sense of feeling the effects of alcohol (such as drinking to get drunk), and coping motives are associated with heavy drinking. Additionally the more reasons young people name for drinking, the more likely they are to consume more alcohol (Kuntsche et al., 2005).