Aggressive not depressed adolescents likelier to become alcoholics

A new study has demonstrated that adolescents who are aggressive in nature are more likely to drink alcohol and in larger quantities than their peers whereas depression and anxiety are not connected to increased alcohol drinking.

The study conducted in Finland showed that smoking and attention problems also increased the probability of alcohol use.

Eila Laukkanen, Professor and Chief Physician of Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital said that the findings raised the questions about a possible change in the behavior of adolescent girls and their vulnerability during adolescent social and emotional development.

Alcohol use that begins early in adolescence could increase the probability of mental health problems and alcohol dependence, and be detrimental to brain development.

The results are published in Journal of Adolescence.