Early alcoholism and alcohol use among adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the reasons for alcohol consumption in adolescence and the influence of school units on alcohol use among adolescents through data collection at a private school. Based on the data collected, the objective was to implement interventions in the school to identify the best ways to address alcohol use. Methods: The AUDIT-C questionnaire, adapted for research purposes, was administered to high school students and ninth graders at a private school in a large municipality in the state of São Paulo, enabling the collection of data on students' alcohol use. Specific intervention methods were then devised based on the gathered data. In this context, informative lectures and active methodologies were employed, along with the creation of educational materials for the school. Results: Among the main findings, out of 170 student responses, only 41 (24.1%) reported never having used alcohol, while 129 students (75.9%) had experimented with alcoholic beverages. Regarding the age of first consumption, 61 (35.9%) students reported first use between the ages of 14 and 16, 15 (8.8%) between 10 and 12 years old, and no one reported trying alcohol after the age of 18. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption among adolescents is an issue of utmost importance for public health, as it relates to preventing the early development of alcoholism, thereby avoiding public expenditures and health complications. Interventions within schools are necessary for prevention and improved outcomes.