Alcohol Use Disorder in Adolescents / Teens

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Not established diagnostic AUD; Indian past-year alcohol use 10.6–32.9% across studies—not AUD
Is it more common among adolescents / teens? Adolescence is a major period for alcohol initiation
Are adolescents / teens at higher risk? Strong developmental association
How much higher is the risk? Indian studies: initiation mean 14.4–18.3 yrs
How often can it be missed? Very High
Does it show up differently among adolescents / teens? Strong Yes
How might it look different? Bingeing, peer-related drinking, risky behaviour, school decline and polysubstance use may precede entrenched AUD
What commonly occurs alongside it? ADHD; depression; conduct problems; other SUD
What can it be confused with? Binge drinking vs AUD; substance-induced symptoms; conduct disorder
Common screening tool AUDIT / AUDIT-C, age-appropriate interpretation
Separate screening tool for adolescents / teens CRAFFT
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