A recent survey conducted by The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab found that more than one-third (37.5%) of the 2136 respondents had their first drink between the ages of 12 and 17 years. The danger hidden in that finding, survey authors say, is that research shows that those who begin drinking before the age of 15 years are 4 times more likely to become addicted to alcohol later in life.
US adults responding to the survey identified themselves as either wanting to stop drinking or having tried to, with or without success. Approximately three-quarters of the survey group qualified to answer questions about detox and rehabilitation experiences.
In this first of 2 highlights slide shows based on the survey findings, we offer a topline look at how respondents currently drink, heavy and binge drinking by state, how heavy drinking got started, and the impact of excessive alcohol on heatlh and livelihood.