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ABTRACT
This study explored early alcohol drinking onset (ADO), its precursors, and the mechanisms by which it leads to later alcohol disorder. Data came from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth with ADO items from 1982 and 1983, and alcohol symptoms from 1989 and 1994. Drinking began earlier for respondents who were male, younger, non-Hispanic, non-African-American, and later born, and for those not living with both parents at age 14, ever charged with an illegal act, and with a family history of alcohol problems, lower academic aptitude, or less frequent religious attendance (n = 8165). Early ADO predicted 1994 abuse and dependence even after controlling for such potential mediators as 1987 self-esteem, 1989 alcohol disorder, and 1992 depression (n = 5643).