First use and initiation of regular alcohol use has been frequently found to start in adolescence. However, only few studies have also investigated how many adolescents proceed during ages 14–24 to harmful drinking or even develop alcohol use disorders. This paper – using the EDSP baseline sample of 3,021 community respondents from the Munich area – examines the prevalence of use, abuse and dependence and investigates the dose/disorder relationship. Alcohol abuse was reported by 9.7% of respondents and alcohol dependence by 6.2%. Men were more likely to report an alcohol disorder than women, prevalence also increased in the older age cohorts. However, even among 14- to 17-year-olds a substantial proportion of respondents report high and regular consumption rates, the occurrence of abuse and dependence criteria and even a full dependence syndrome. There is however only a moderate association between average number of standard drinks consumed with the risk of developing abuse and dependence. In light of the substantial rates among adolescents and young adults the validity of DSM-IV alcohol disorder criteria is discussed.

Background. We examined the association between parental alcohol use disorders and patterns of alcohol consumption and DSM-IV alcohol use disorders in their offspring in a community-based sample of young adults. Methods. Data are based on baseline and 4-year follow-up data of 2427 respondents aged 14–24 at baseline. Alcohol use and disorders in respondents were assessed using the Munich-Composite-International-Diagnostic-Interview with DSM-IV algorithms. Diagnostic information about parents was collected by family history information from the respondents, and by direct interview with one parent (cohort aged 14 to 17 years only). Results. Although the association between maternal and paternal alcohol use disorders and non-problematical drinking in offspring was minimal, there was a strong effect for the transition to hazardous use and for alcohol abuse and dependence; the effect of parental concordance for transition into hazardous use was particularly striking. Maternal history was associated with a higher probability of progression from occasional to regular use, whereas paternal history was associated with progression from regular to hazardous use. Parental alcoholism increased the risk for first onset of hazardous use and alcohol dependence between the ages of 14–17, and for an earlier onset of the alcohol outcomes in offspring. The impact of parental alcohol use disorders was comparable for male and female offspring. Conclusions. Parental alcoholism predicts escalation of alcohol use, development of alcohol use disorders and onset of alcohol outcomes in offspring.

Background Among adolescents and young adults with DSM-IV alcohol use disorders (AUDs), there are inter-individual differences in the speed of transition from initial alcohol use (AU) to AUD. AUDs are highly co-morbid with other mental disorders. The factors associated with rapid transition from first AU to AUD remain unknown and the role of mental disorders in rapid transitions is unclear. Given this background we examined (1) whether prior anxiety, mood, externalizing and non-alcohol substance use disorders are related to the risk and speed of transition from first AU to DSM-IV alcohol abuse (AA) and alcohol dependence (AD) and (2) whether early age of onset of prior mental disorders (PMDs) is a promoter of rapid transition. Method A total of 3021 community subjects (97.7% lifetime AU) aged 14–24 years at baseline were followed up prospectively for up to 10 years. AU and mental disorders were assessed with the DSM-IV/M-CIDI. Results Among subjects with lifetime AU, several PMDs, such as specific phobia, bipolar disorder and nicotine dependence, were associated with an increased risk of AUD independent of externalizing disorders. Associations of PMDs with the speed of transition to AUDs were mostly weak and inconsistent. Only social phobia and externalizing disorders were associated with faster transitions to AD even after adjustment for other PMDs. Earlier age of onset of PMD was not associated with rapid transition. Conclusions Mental disorders are associated with the risk of AUD. With the possible exception of social phobia and externalizing disorders, they do not promote rapid transition, even if they occur particularly early. Future research needs to identify factors relevant to rapid transition to AUD.

First use and initiation of regular alcohol use has been frequently found to start in adolescence. However, only few studies have also investigated how many adolescents proceed during ages 14–24 to harmful drinking or even develop alcohol use disorders. This paper – using the EDSP baseline sample of 3,021 community respondents from the Munich area – examines the prevalence of use, abuse and dependence and investigates the dose/disorder relationship. Alcohol abuse was reported by 9.7% of respondents and alcohol dependence by 6.2%. Men were more likely to report an alcohol disorder than women, prevalence also increased in the older age cohorts. However, even among 14- to 17-year-olds a substantial proportion of respondents report high and regular consumption rates, the occurrence of abuse and dependence criteria and even a full dependence syndrome. There is however only a moderate association between average number of standard drinks consumed with the risk of developing abuse and dependence. In light of the substantial rates among adolescents and young adults the validity of DSM-IV alcohol disorder criteria is discussed.

Background Among adolescents and young adults with DSM-IV alcohol use disorders (AUDs), there are inter-individual differences in the speed of transition from initial alcohol use (AU) to AUD. AUDs are highly co-morbid with other mental disorders. The factors associated with rapid transition from first AU to AUD remain unknown and the role of mental disorders in rapid transitions is unclear. Given this background we examined (1) whether prior anxiety, mood, externalizing and non-alcohol substance use disorders are related to the risk and speed of transition from first AU to DSM-IV alcohol abuse (AA) and alcohol dependence (AD) and (2) whether early age of onset of prior mental disorders (PMDs) is a promoter of rapid transition. Method A total of 3021 community subjects (97.7% lifetime AU) aged 14–24 years at baseline were followed up prospectively for up to 10 years. AU and mental disorders were assessed with the DSM-IV/M-CIDI. Results Among subjects with lifetime AU, several PMDs, such as specific phobia, bipolar disorder and nicotine dependence, were associated with an increased risk of AUD independent of externalizing disorders. Associations of PMDs with the speed of transition to AUDs were mostly weak and inconsistent. Only social phobia and externalizing disorders were associated with faster transitions to AD even after adjustment for other PMDs. Earlier age of onset of PMD was not associated with rapid transition. Conclusions Mental disorders are associated with the risk of AUD. With the possible exception of social phobia and externalizing disorders, they do not promote rapid transition, even if they occur particularly early. Future research needs to identify factors relevant to rapid transition to AUD.

Das vorliegende Forschungsvorhaben geht auf die Suche nach identitätsrelevanten Erfahrungen im Zusammenhang mit Konsum- und Rauscherlebnissen von jungen Menschen ohne Krankheitsdiagnosen. Ausgangshypothese war, dass es einen Zusammenhang gibt zwischen der Beteiligung an Konsum-, in erster Linie Alkoholszenen, und der Entwicklung eines jungen Erwachsenen Selbst. Folgende Forschungsfragen standen am Anfang der Studie: Welche Gründe stehen hinter einem Konsum von psychoaktiven Substanzen in der heute jungen Generation der 15- bis 25-Jährigen? Wie werden Rauscherfahrungen von Konsument/inn/en selbst bewertet und eingeschätzt? Welche subjektiven und gruppenspezifischen Gründe führen dazu, sich auf Konsumverhaltensweisen einzulassen, die aus einer Fremdperspektive auch gesundheitsschädigend und risikoreich sein können? Für die Studie wurden qualitative und quantitative Forschungsmethoden eingesetzt. Der Kern der Arbeit besteht aus einer – von der Grounded Theory ausgehenden – Analyse von 19 halbstandardisierten, themenzentrierten Interviews, die mit insgesamt 23 konsum- und rauscherfahrenen jungen Männern und Frauen zwischen 14 und 20 Jahren geführt wurden. Der empirische Teil bezieht sich auf Südtirol. Auf quantitativer Ebene wird gezeigt, wie sich die Konsumprävalenzen in den letzten 8 Jahren innerhalb der Population der 15- bis 25-Jährigen verändert haben und welche Korrelationen zwischen Konsumverhalten und Lebensbefindlichkeiten bestehen. Insgesamt kann das gesamte Vorhaben auch als Versuch gesehen werden, eine Sichtweise aufzuzeigen, die von den Lebenswelten der Betroffenen ausgeht. Als Resultat zeigt die vorliegende Arbeit klar und unmissverständlich auf, dass Alkoholszenen wichtige identitätsstiftende und verankernde Impulse leisten, die junge Burschen und Mädchen auf ihrem Weg in das Erwachsenenleben als Erfahrungswelt benötigen. Sie sind behilflich, um sich von der Kindheit zu verabschieden und zu einem eigenen Selbst zu kommen. Diese Szenen sind selbstorganisiert und selbstkonstruiert. In ihnen lernen die Beteiligten kompetent mit Schlüsselsituationen umzugehen. Nach einigen Jahren entwickeln sie durch die Beteiligung aber auch eine kritische Reflexionsfähigkeit und distanzieren sich erneut davon. Ersichtlich wird durch die ausgeprägt vorgefundenen Ambivalenzen allerdings auch, dass die Alkoholszenen Kunstwelten sind und für diesen Übergangsraum nicht die optimalen und idealen Orte darstellen. Dass Alkoholszenen diese Funktion trotzdem einnehmen, hat auch damit zu tun, dass Erwachsene sich aus diesem Raum mehr oder weniger verabschiedet haben. Für die seit Menschengedenken gleiche Aufgabe, seinen eigenen Platz im Gefüge zu finden, gibt es in der 2. Moderne keine aktualisierte und an die aktuellen Lebensbedingungen angepasste „Software“. / This paper aims to examine identity-related experiences of adolescents without confirmed diagnosis regarding their episodes of alcohol consumption and excessive drinking. The core assumption was that there is a connection between the participation in consumption scenes, alcohol scenes in particular, and the identity development of a young adult. The underlying questions of the study were the following: What are the reasons for the consumption of psychoactive substances in today’s 15 to 25-year-olds? How do consumers themselves value and assess their episodes of excessive drinking? What are the subjective and group-specific reasons for the participation in consumption behavior, which can be considered as dangerous and health damaging by people that are not involved? Qualitative and quantitative approaches were applied in the study. The core issue of the research consists of the analysis – based on the Grounded Theory Method – of 19 half-standardized, topic-related interviews with 23 young male and female subjects aged 14 to 20 experienced in consumption and inebriation. The empirical part of the study refers to the situation in South Tyrol. The quantitative part focuses on the change in consumption preferences of the population of 15 to 25-year-olds over the last eight years and on the correlation between consumption behavior and existential orientation. This paper can also be considered an attempt to show the perspective of the people concerned. The findings of the study clearly and unequivocally indicate that alcohol scenes provide important stimuli for the identity development and consolidation that adolescents need on their way to their adult life. These scenes are self-contrived and self-organized and can help adolescents to let go of their childhood and to find their own self. They teach participants to competently handle key situations. After some years, they develop a critical reflecting ability through their participation and they distance themselves from the scenes. The frequently encountered ambivalences also show that alcohol scenes are artificial worlds and do not represent the optimal and ideal places for this transitional period. Alcohol scenes take over this function because of the fact that adults have taken leave of this place. Since time memorial, a young people’s essential task has been that of finding their own place in the social fabric and second modernity has not provided appropriate “software” for the present living conditions yet.

Das vorliegende Forschungsvorhaben geht auf die Suche nach identitätsrelevanten Erfahrungen im Zusammenhang mit Konsum- und Rauscherlebnissen von jungen Menschen ohne Krankheitsdiagnosen. Ausgangshypothese war, dass es einen Zusammenhang gibt zwischen der Beteiligung an Konsum-, in erster Linie Alkoholszenen, und der Entwicklung eines jungen Erwachsenen Selbst. Folgende Forschungsfragen standen am Anfang der Studie: Welche Gründe stehen hinter einem Konsum von psychoaktiven Substanzen in der heute jungen Generation der 15- bis 25-Jährigen? Wie werden Rauscherfahrungen von Konsument/inn/en selbst bewertet und eingeschätzt? Welche subjektiven und gruppenspezifischen Gründe führen dazu, sich auf Konsumverhaltensweisen einzulassen, die aus einer Fremdperspektive auch gesundheitsschädigend und risikoreich sein können? Für die Studie wurden qualitative und quantitative Forschungsmethoden eingesetzt. Der Kern der Arbeit besteht aus einer – von der Grounded Theory ausgehenden – Analyse von 19 halbstandardisierten, themenzentrierten Interviews, die mit insgesamt 23 konsum- und rauscherfahrenen jungen Männern und Frauen zwischen 14 und 20 Jahren geführt wurden. Der empirische Teil bezieht sich auf Südtirol. Auf quantitativer Ebene wird gezeigt, wie sich die Konsumprävalenzen in den letzten 8 Jahren innerhalb der Population der 15- bis 25-Jährigen verändert haben und welche Korrelationen zwischen Konsumverhalten und Lebensbefindlichkeiten bestehen. Insgesamt kann das gesamte Vorhaben auch als Versuch gesehen werden, eine Sichtweise aufzuzeigen, die von den Lebenswelten der Betroffenen ausgeht. Als Resultat zeigt die vorliegende Arbeit klar und unmissverständlich auf, dass Alkoholszenen wichtige identitätsstiftende und verankernde Impulse leisten, die junge Burschen und Mädchen auf ihrem Weg in das Erwachsenenleben als Erfahrungswelt benötigen. Sie sind behilflich, um sich von der Kindheit zu verabschieden und zu einem eigenen Selbst zu kommen. Diese Szenen sind selbstorganisiert und selbstkonstruiert. In ihnen lernen die Beteiligten kompetent mit Schlüsselsituationen umzugehen. Nach einigen Jahren entwickeln sie durch die Beteiligung aber auch eine kritische Reflexionsfähigkeit und distanzieren sich erneut davon. Ersichtlich wird durch die ausgeprägt vorgefundenen Ambivalenzen allerdings auch, dass die Alkoholszenen Kunstwelten sind und für diesen Übergangsraum nicht die optimalen und idealen Orte darstellen. Dass Alkoholszenen diese Funktion trotzdem einnehmen, hat auch damit zu tun, dass Erwachsene sich aus diesem Raum mehr oder weniger verabschiedet haben. Für die seit Menschengedenken gleiche Aufgabe, seinen eigenen Platz im Gefüge zu finden, gibt es in der 2. Moderne keine aktualisierte und an die aktuellen Lebensbedingungen angepasste „Software“. / This paper aims to examine identity-related experiences of adolescents without confirmed diagnosis regarding their episodes of alcohol consumption and excessive drinking. The core assumption was that there is a connection between the participation in consumption scenes, alcohol scenes in particular, and the identity development of a young adult. The underlying questions of the study were the following: What are the reasons for the consumption of psychoactive substances in today’s 15 to 25-year-olds? How do consumers themselves value and assess their episodes of excessive drinking? What are the subjective and group-specific reasons for the participation in consumption behavior, which can be considered as dangerous and health damaging by people that are not involved? Qualitative and quantitative approaches were applied in the study. The core issue of the research consists of the analysis – based on the Grounded Theory Method – of 19 half-standardized, topic-related interviews with 23 young male and female subjects aged 14 to 20 experienced in consumption and inebriation. The empirical part of the study refers to the situation in South Tyrol. The quantitative part focuses on the change in consumption preferences of the population of 15 to 25-year-olds over the last eight years and on the correlation between consumption behavior and existential orientation. This paper can also be considered an attempt to show the perspective of the people concerned. The findings of the study clearly and unequivocally indicate that alcohol scenes provide important stimuli for the identity development and consolidation that adolescents need on their way to their adult life. These scenes are self-contrived and self-organized and can help adolescents to let go of their childhood and to find their own self. They teach participants to competently handle key situations. After some years, they develop a critical reflecting ability through their participation and they distance themselves from the scenes. The frequently encountered ambivalences also show that alcohol scenes are artificial worlds and do not represent the optimal and ideal places for this transitional period. Alcohol scenes take over this function because of the fact that adults have taken leave of this place. Since time memorial, a young people’s essential task has been that of finding their own place in the social fabric and second modernity has not provided appropriate “software” for the present living conditions yet.