Anxiety disorders and first alcohol use in the general population. Findings from a nationally representative sample. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Birrell, Louise; Newton, Nicola C.; Teesson, Maree; Tonks, Zoe; Slade, Tim
• Is Part Of: Journal of anxiety disorders. Volume 31(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Anxiety -- Substance use -- Epidemiology -- Alcohol drinking -- Age of onset -- Adolescent -- Age factors -- Age of first drink; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; Angoisse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.8522
• DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.02.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6185

Abstract

Highlights: Survival analysis modeled the relationship between anxiety disorders and age of first alcohol use. Early onset anxiety disorders increased the odds of first alcohol use by 27%. The effect is only significant after 13 years of age. This relationship is significant even after controlling for confounding factors. Abstract: Objective: To examine how early onset anxiety disorders are related to age of first alcohol use in a general population sample. Method: Discrete time survival analysis was used to model the odds of first alcohol use among those with, vs without, early onset anxiety disorders. Data came from the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Results: After adjusting for the effects of family history of alcohol/drug use, sex, age cohort and education, people who experienced an early onset anxiety disorder had a 27% increased odds of first alcohol use in any given year, when compared to those with no anxiety disorder. This effect was particularly strong for transitions to first alcohol use that occurred after the age of 13 years. Conclusions: Early onset anxiety disorders significantly predict first alcohol use in the general population and this relationship appears to be related to change over time. These results point to the need for developmentally appropriate and integrated prevention programs that target anxiety and alcohol use together.