Who Would Most Likely Develop An Alcohol Addiction In Adulthood?

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Who Would Most Likely Develop An Alcohol Addiction In Adulthood
Age Factors – An individual’s age strongly influences the likelihood of alcohol abuse. Alcohol use tends to begin in the late teens or early twenties, peak in the middle and late twenties, and slow by the early thirties. Individuals in their early to mid-twenties are the most likely to abuse alcohol and suffer from alcohol use disorders.

Who is at risk for alcohol addiction?

Risk factors – Alcohol use may begin in the teens, but alcohol use disorder occurs more frequently in the 20s and 30s, though it can start at any age. Risk factors for alcohol use disorder include:

Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to alcohol-related problems or alcohol use disorder. Starting at an early age. People who begin drinking — especially binge drinking — at an early age are at a higher risk of alcohol use disorder. Family history. The risk of alcohol use disorder is higher for people who have a parent or other close relative who has problems with alcohol. This may be influenced by genetic factors. Depression and other mental health problems. It’s common for people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to have problems with alcohol or other substances. History of trauma. People with a history of emotional trauma or other trauma are at increased risk of alcohol use disorder. Having bariatric surgery. Some research studies indicate that having bariatric surgery may increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder or of relapsing after recovering from alcohol use disorder. Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcohol use disorder. The glamorous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it’s OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact risk.

Who is most affected by alcohol?

Excessive Alcohol Use is a Risk to Men’s Health Men are more likely than women to,1 Excessive drinking is associated with significant risks to men’s health and safety, and the risks increase with the amount of alcohol consumed. Men are also more likely than women to take other risks (such as misusing other substances, having multiple sex partners, or not wearing a seat belt), that when combined with alcohol, further increase their risk of illness, injury or death.2-5 Who Would Most Likely Develop An Alcohol Addiction In Adulthood

  • Almost 58% of adult men report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days compared with 49% of adult women.1
  • Men are more likely to than women. Approximately 21% of men report binge drinking, compared with 13% of women. Among men who binge drink, 25% do so at least five times a month, on average, and 25% consume at least nine drinks during a binge drinking occasion.1
  • In 2020, 13% of adult men had an alcohol use disorder compared with 9% of adult women.2
  • Men have higher rates of alcohol-related hospitalizations than women.6
  • More than three-quarters of deaths from excessive drinking are among males, totaling more than 97,000 deaths each year in the U.S.7
  • Among drivers in fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes, men are 50% more likely to have been intoxicated (i.e., a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater) compared with women.8
  • Excessive alcohol consumption increases aggression and may increase the risk of physically assaulting another person.9 Alcohol is a key risk factor for perpetration.10
  • Males are more than three times as likely to die by than females, and more likely to have been drinking prior to suicide.11-13
  • Alcohol use is one of the most important preventable risk factors for,14 Alcohol use increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon, which are more common among men.14,15 Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of prostate cancer.16
  • Excessive alcohol use can interfere with testicular function and male hormone production resulting in erectile dysfunction and infertility.17
  • Alcohol use by men also increases the chances of engaging in risky sexual activity including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex with a partner at risk for sexually transmitted infections.18,19

Men can reduce the amount of alcohol they drink to reduce their risk of health problems and other harms. The addresses a number of additional health conditions associated with excessive alcohol use that affect both men and women.

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.,
    2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration., Rockville, MD: 2021.
    3. Tori ME, Larochelle MR, Naimi TS., JAMA Netw Open 2020;3:e202361.
    4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., Accessed April 19, 2022.
    5. Beck LF, Downs J, Stevens MR, Sauber-Schatz EK., MMWR 17;66:1–13.
    6. Chen CM, Yoon Y., Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2017.
    7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., Accessed April 19, 2022.
    8. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Washington, DC: NHTSA, 2019.
    9. Crane CA, Godleski SA, Przybyla SM, Schlauch RC, Testa M., Trauma Violence Abuse 2016;17:520–531.
    10. Abbey A, Wegner R, Woerner J, Pegram SE, Pierce J., Trauma Violence Abuse 2014;15:265–282.
    11. Stone DM, Simon TR, Fowler KA, et al., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:617–624.
    12. Kaplan MS, Huguet N, McFarland BH, Caetano R, et al., Ann Epidemiol 2014;24:588–592.e1–2.
    13. Borges G, Bagge CL, Cherpitel CJ, Conner KR., Psych Med 2017;47:949–957.
    14. American Cancer Society., Accessed October 31, 2022.
    15. Rehm J, Shield KD, Weiderpass E. Alcohol Consumption: A Leading Risk Factor for Cancer. In: Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW, eds., Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2020:68–76.
    16. Zhao J, Stockwell T, Roemer A, Chikritzhs T., BMC Cancer 2016;16:845.
    17. Rachdaoui N, Sarkar DK., Alcohol Res 2017;38:255–276.
    18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., Accessed October 31, 2022.
    19. Chandra A, Billioux VG, Copen CE, Sionean C., Hyattsville, MD: CDC, 2012.
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  • : Excessive Alcohol Use is a Risk to Men’s Health

    What age group is most affected by alcohol abuse?

    Who binge drinks? 1 –

    • Binge drinking is most common among younger adults aged 18–34.
    • Binge drinking is more common among men than among women.
    • Binge drinking is most common among adults who have higher household incomes ($75,000 or more), are non-Hispanic White, or live in the Midwest.
    • For some groups and states, binge drinking is not as common, but those who binge drink do so frequently or consume large quantities of alcohol.
    • One in four US adults who binge drink consume at least eight drinks during a binge occasion.1
    • Overall, 17 billion total binge drinks are consumed by adults annually, or 467 binge drinks per adult who binge drinks.4
    • Four out of five binge drinks are consumed by men.4
    • More than half of binge drinks are consumed by adults 35 and older.4
    • People with lower incomes and lower levels of education consume more binge drinks per year.4
    • Most people younger than 21 who drink alcohol report binge drinking, often consuming large amounts. Among high school students who binge drink, 44% consumed eight or more drinks in a row.5,6

    Binge drinking is associated with many health problems, 7–9 including:

    • Unintentional injuries such as, falls, burns, and,
    • Violence including homicide, suicide, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault.
    • Sexually transmitted diseases.
    • Unintended pregnancy and poor pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
    • Sudden infant death syndrome.
    • Chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and liver disease.
    • of the breast (among females), liver, colon, rectum, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.
    • Memory and learning problems.

    Read more about the CDC study that found that excessive drinking in the U.S is a drain on the American economy.

    Excessive drinking, including binge drinking, cost the United States $249 billion in 2010, or $2.05 per drink. These costs were from lost work productivity, health care expenditures, criminal justice costs, and other expenses. Binge drinking accounted for 77% of these costs, or $191 billion.2

    The recommends evidence-based interventions to binge drinking and related harms. Recommended strategies include:

    • Using pricing strategies, including increasing alcohol taxes.
    • Limiting the number of retail alcohol outlets in a given area.
    • Holding alcohol retailers responsible for the harms caused by illegal alcohol sales to minors or intoxicated patrons (dram shop liability).
    • Restricting access to alcohol by maintaining limits on the days and hours of alcohol retail sales.
    • Consistently enforcing laws against underage drinking and alcohol-impaired driving.
    • Maintaining government controls on alcohol sales (avoiding privatization).

    The also recommends screening and counseling for alcohol misuse in primary care settings.

    1. Bohm MK, Liu Y, Esser MB, Mesnick JB, Lu H, Pan Y, Greenlund KJ., MMWR 2021;70:41.
    2. Sacks JJ, Gonzales KR, Bouchery EE, Tomedi LE, Brewer RD., Am J Prev Med 2015;49:e73–e79.
    3. Esser MB, Hedden SL, Kanny D, Brewer RD, Gfroerer JC, Naimi TS., Prev Chronic Dis 2014;11:140329.
    4. Kanny D, Naimi TS, Liu Y, Lu H, Brewer RD., Am J Prev Med 2018;54:486–496.
    5. Jones CM, Clayton HB, Deputy NP, et al., MMWR Suppl 2020;69(Suppl-1):38–46.
    6. Esser MB, Clayton H, Demissie Z, Kanny D, Brewer RD. MMWR 2017;66:474-476.
    7. World Health Organization., Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2018.
    8. Naimi TS, Lipscomb LE, Brewer RD, Colley BG., Pediatrics 2003;11:1136–1141.
    9. Iyasu S, Randall LL, Welty TK, et al.,2002;288:2717–2723.
  • : Binge Drinking

    Who is more likely to be a non drinker?

    Table 1 – Baseline (1984–1987) characteristics of participants according to amount of alcohol intake (n=1344); The Rancho Bernardo Study

    Non-drinkers (n=157) Moderate (n=645) Heavy (n=481) Excessive (n=61) P Value a P Value b
    % Mean (SD) % Mean (SD) % Mean (SD) % Mean (SD)
    Sex <0.001 <0.001
     Women n=728 59.2 60.2 45.5 45.9
     Men n=616 40.8 39.8 54.5 54.1
    Age in years 71.8 (6.7) 71.7 (7.0) 72.1 (6.1) 67.4 (6.5) <0.001 0.09
    Smoking Status <0.001 <0.001
     Never 61.1 42.9 27.7 23
     Past 29.9 48.5 55.1 44.3
     Current 8.9 8.5 17.3 32.8
    Exercise (≥3 times/week) 79.0 83.1 87.3 72.1 0.006 0.33
    Some College 68.2 67 74.6 80.3 0.01 0.004
    Married 80.9 76.2 84.2 83.6 0.007 0.03
    History of CVD 22.3 18.4 15.2 13.1 0.15 0.02
    History of Diabetes 19.1 14.9 12.5 21.3 0.08 0.28
    History of Liver disease 7.6 8.7 6.4 9.8 0.59 0.66
    History of Stroke 6.4 4.2 2.9 0.08 0.01
    History of TIA 2.5 1.4 1.7 1.6 0.78 0.71
    History of Cancer 26.8 27.3 29.9 21.3 0.41 0.70
    History of Hypertension 40.8 38.1 40.1 39.3 0.90 0.91
    Metabolic Syndrome n=1322 21.1 15.6 11.8 16.7 0.04 0.02
    Depression c n=1274 10.4 6.9 6.3 11.7 0.18 0.54
    Self-perceived health d <0.001 0.01
     Better 66.2 76.2 78.2 73.8
     Same 19.7 19.9 19.5 23
     Worse 14.0 3.9 2.3 3.3
    APOE ε4 carrier n=892 25.6 25.9 26.0 29.8 0.94 0.66
    Body Mass Index (kg/m 2 ) 24.8 (3.9) 24.7 (3.6) 24.6 (3.4) 24.9 (3.7) 0.90 0.85
    Waist-Hip Ratio 0.84 (0.08) 0.84 (0.08) 0.86 (0.08) 0.89 (0.08) <0.001 <0.001
    SBP (mg/dl) 143.2 (23.1) 139.1 (20.3) 141.4 (20.7) 139.5 (20.1) 0.07 0.91
    DBP (mg/dl) 75.6 (10.1) 75.6 (9.5) 77.3 (9.1) 79.4 (9.7) 0.001 <0.001
    HDL-C (mg/dl) 56.6 (16.4) 60.4 (18.6) 65.6 (19.2) 68.3 (21.7) <0.001 <0.001
    LDL-C (mg/dl) 128.7 (36) 137.4 (36.1) 135.6 (37.3) 139.2 (37.8) 0.048 0.17
    Triglycerides (mg/dl) 128.4 (80.7) 123.7 (75.1) 110.5 (64.9) 127 (66.9) 0.007 0.01
    No. of Comorbidities 1.9 (1.3) 1.6 (1.2) 1.6 (1.2) 1.5 (1.1) 0.02 0.03
    No. of Medications 1.2 (1.3) 1.0 (1.1) 1.0 (1.1) 0.9 (0.9) 0.14 0.06
    GGT(IU/L) e 12 (11.5) 14.5 (27.1) 14.7 (17.3) 19.7 (20.8) <0.001 <0.001
    AST (IU/L) 28.8 (22.2) 27.1 (14.3) 26.2 (12.4) 33 (25.5) 0.008 0.99
    ALT (IU/L) 20.3 (14.7) 19.8 (12.3) 19.1 (11.6) 24.2 (18.1) 0.03 0.69
    CRP (mg/L) e n=1040 3.1 (3.4) 2.9 (2.7) 2.7 (2.8) 2.8 (2.7) 0.29 0.11

    Table 2 shows baseline characteristics of the study sample by frequency of alcohol intake. Near-daily drinking was reported by almost half (48%) of study participants. Compared to men, women were more likely to be nondrinkers and to drink less frequently (59.2% non-drinkers for women vs 40.8% non-drinkers for men; P <0.001). Drinking frequency did not differ by age. Current smoking was more frequent in near-daily drinkers (17.4% vs 8.2% for non-drinkers; P <0.001). Infrequent drinkers were the least likely to be married or to have some college education (74.4% and 61.2% vs 80.9% and 68.2% for non-drinkers; all P 's ≤0.01). Non-drinkers had the highest number of medications at baseline (mean ± SD=1.2 ± 1.3 vs 1.0 ± 1.1 for near-daily drinkers; P =0.02). Triglyceride and CRP levels (mean ± SD=113.0 ± 64.5 and 2.7 ± 2.7 for near-daily drinkers vs 128.4 ± 36.0 and 3.1 ± 3.4 for non-drinkers) and the proportion of individuals with diabetes (12.7% in near-daily drinkers vs 19.1% in non-drinkers) were significantly lower with increased drinking frequency (all P 's <0.05). Waist-hip ratio, HDL-C, and gamma-glutamyl transferase increased linearly with drinking frequency (all P 's for trend <0.001). Exercise frequency, history of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and cancer, Beck Depression Inventory score, APOE ε4 carrier status, body mass index, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels did not significantly differ by frequency of alcohol consumption.

    Which generation drinks the most?

    It’s a social habit people have taken part in for generations, but according to new studies, people are leaving alcohol behind. Recent studies show alcohol consumption among Generation Z (those born in the late 1990s to early 2010s) is on the decline. A report from Berenberg Research shows Gen Z drinks 20 per cent less per capita than Millennials when it comes to alcohol consumption.

    Not to be outdone, the report also shows Millennials are drinking less than both Gen X and Baby Boomers. A separate report from Australia’s University of New South Wales also backs up the trend worldwide, finding 44 per cent of those ages 18-24 are drinking less than older generations. Story continues below advertisement Clinical psychologist Dr.

    Dominique Morisano, who specializes in harm reduction, believes people have become more health-conscious and have shifted their habits to other substances. “Recently, with the rise of psychedelic therapies and discussions on psychedelics, I think there is a lot of curiosity among young people about mushrooms, about LSD, about different psychedelics that are out there,” Morisano said.

    And with the legalization of marijuana, combined with the constant hike of inflation, some people are turning away from alcohol. There are many reasons people may choose not to drink, and when we asked, Saskatoon residents’ answers ranged from lack of appeal, religious reasons, wanting a healthier lifestyle and some saying marijuana is just simply cheaper.

    Trending Now “Money has been an issue,” Morisano said. “Inflation has been an issue, and alcohol is expensive, especially in Canada, so for young people, it’s hard to afford it right now.” And while the global alcohol trade is valued at an astonishing $1.17 trillion in 2021 according to World Finance, it may be set for a downturn as less and less people turn to alcohol for a good time. Who Would Most Likely Develop An Alcohol Addiction In Adulthood 1:42 Business advocate, winemakers call for relaxed homemade alcohol laws in line with western provinces © 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

    How does age affect alcoholism?

    The size of the older adult population is increasing rapidly. Alcohol use among older adults is also increasing, Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that approximately 20 percent of adults aged 60-64 and around 11 percent over age 65 report current binge drinking. Older adults can experience a variety of problems from drinking alcohol, especially those who:

    Take certain medications Have health problems Drink heavily

    There are special considerations facing older adults who drink, including: Increased Sensitivity to Alcohol Aging can lower the body’s tolerance for alcohol. Older adults generally experience the effects of alcohol more quickly than when they were younger.

    Diabetes High blood pressure Congestive heart failure Liver problems Osteoporosis Memory problems Mood disorders

    Bad Interactions with Medications Many prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal remedies can be dangerous or even deadly when mixed with alcohol. Medications that can interact badly with alcohol include:

    Aspirin Acetaminophen Cold and allergy medicine Cough syrup Sleeping pills Pain medication Anxiety or depression medicine

    Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, the dietary guidelines provide recommendations on what the average American should eat and drink to promote health and help prevent chronic disease.

    Plan to drive or operate machinery, or participate in activities that require skill, coordination, and alertness Take certain over-the-counter or prescription medications Have a medical condition that can be worsened by alcohol Are recovering from AUD or are unable to control the amount they drink

    Is alcoholism caused by stress?

    Alcohol’s Role In Stress – To better understand how alcohol interacts with stress, researchers looked at the number of stressors occurring in the past year in a group of men and women in the general population and how those stressors related to alcohol use.1 They found that both men and women who reported higher levels of stress tended to drink more.

    Why do we drink alcohol psychology?

    1) To Escape Problems or Stress – Alcohol slows down the central nervous system (CNS), which can create feelings of relaxation. This is why some people turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with stress, anxiety, or other unpleasant emotions. Alcohol is a vehicle for some people to distance themselves from the various stressors in their lives.

    People who go through difficult or stressful times may find it easier to cope if they consume alcohol. Alcohol consumption may help reduce anxiety temporarily but it will not be effective long term. Some people consume alcoholic beverages because they want to enjoy themselves due to alcohol’s effects.

    They may be considered social drinkers because they drink socially (e.g., at social events, restaurants, holidays), but they’re not necessarily heavy drinkers. They usually don’t have a problem with alcohol and are able to handle it well. Alcoholic drinks can make people feel more relaxed and happier than they would otherwise.

    Can someone drink a lot and not be an alcoholic?

    Press Release – Embargoed until: Thursday, November 20, 2014, Noon ET Contact: pdf icon 9 out of 10 excessive drinkers are not alcohol dependent 89.8%: Excessive Drinkers Who are Not Dependent 10.2%: Excessive Drinkers Who are Dependent Entire Infographic pdf icon Nine in 10 adults who drink too much alcohol are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

    1. The study appears today in the CDC journal Preventing Chronic Disease,
    2. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking (four or more drinks on an occasion for women, five or more drinks on an occasion for men); consuming eight or more drinks a week for women or 15 or more drinks a week for men; or any alcohol use by pregnant women or those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21.

    Alcohol dependence is a chronic medical condition that typically includes a current or past history of excessive drinking, a strong craving for alcohol, continued use despite repeated problems with drinking, and an inability to control alcohol consumption.

    1. This study shows that, contrary to popular opinion, most people who drink too much are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics,” said Robert Brewer, M.D., M.S.P.H., Alcohol Program Lead at CDC and one of the report’s authors.
    2. It also emphasizes the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to reducing excessive drinking that includes evidence-based community strategies, screening and counseling in healthcare settings, and high-quality substance abuse treatment for those who need it.” The study found that nearly 1 in 3 adults is an excessive drinker, and most of them binge drink, usually on multiple occasions.

    In contrast, about 1 in 30 adults is classified as alcohol dependent. The rates of alcohol dependence increase with the amount of alcohol consumed. About 10 percent of binge drinkers are alcohol dependent, while 30 percent of people who binge frequently (10 or more times a month) are alcohol dependent.

    • Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 88,000 deaths in the U.S.
    • Each year (including about 3,700 deaths from alcohol dependence), and cost the U.S.
    • 223.5 billion in 2006.
    • These deaths were due to health effects from drinking too much over time, such as breast cancer, liver disease, and heart disease; and health effects from drinking too much in a short period of time, such as violence, alcohol poisoning, and motor vehicle crashes.

    Excessive drinkers who are dependent often need specialized or more intensive treatment to change their behavior. People who drink too much, but are not dependent, can still be encouraged to drink less through state and local interventions that increase the price and limit the availability of alcohol.

    In addition those who are not dependent may be candidates for other clinical interventions, including screening and counseling offered by doctors and other health professionals. CDC and SAMHSA scientists analyzed data on 138,100 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older from all 50 states and D.C. who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2009, 2010, or 2011.

    The survey includes a wide range of questions on substance use, including current drinking, binge drinking, average alcohol consumption, and symptoms of alcohol dependence. The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends several evidence-based strategies to reduce excessive drinking, including increasing alcohol taxes, regulating alcohol outlet density, and holding alcohol retailers liable for harms resulting from illegal sales to minors or intoxicated patrons.

    The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening and counseling for excessive drinking for all adult patients. This service is covered by most insurance plans, and can also be delivered by computer or telephone. For more information about excessive drinking, including binge drinking, and how to prevent this dangerous behavior, visit the CDC’s Alcohol and Public Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/index.htm.

    Members of the public who are concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at1-800-662-HELP to receive assistance from the Treatment Referral Routing Service. ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES external icon

    Who is an excessive drinker?

    What is excessive drinking? – Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21.

    • , the most common form of excessive drinking, is defined as consuming
      • For women, 4 or more drinks during a single occasion.
      • For men, 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.
    • Heavy drinking is defined as consuming
      • For women, 8 or more drinks per week.
      • For men, 15 or more drinks per week.

    Most people who drink excessively are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.5

    Who is statistically least likely to binge on alcohol?

    Which groups are the most likely to binge drink? Which groups are least likely to binge drink? The most common groups to binge drink are athletes, sports fans, fraternity and sorority members and extremely social students. The least likely to drink are women, minorities, religious, married and older students.

    What generation has the highest rate of alcoholism?

    Baby Boomer Generation Trends – Contrasting with the younger generations, the baby boomers tend to enjoy their alcohol consumption much more than the generation that precedes them. have found a steady increase in alcohol use and binge drinking in the generation that is mostly comprised of individuals in the 65-plus demographic.

    It appears that many in the baby boomer generation have embraced the mistaken notion that moderate drinking is good for them. There has also been an increase in alcohol use disorder, indicating mild, moderate, and severe abuse of alcohol. Binge drinking, which for men means consuming five or more drink in about two hours, has increased from 12.5 percent to 14.9 percent among the baby boomers, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

    Binge drinking accounts for about half of the 88,000 deaths caused by excessive drinking in the US annually.

    What is the most common drinking age?

    The Legal Drinking Age in Each Country For many, being able to buy a legal drink is a sign of maturity and freedom — and perhaps a harbinger of questionable decisions and good times to come. While 21 years old is the standard for most of the United States (looking at you, ), many consumers across the world have earlier introductions to alcohol.

    In fact, 64 percent of the world’s nations have legal drinking ages of 18. The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time. Seven countries do not have a government-mandated drinking age, while 11 countries ban the consumption of booze entirely.

    Get the latest in beer, wine, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox. In Canada, India, and the United Arab Emirates, different regions have varying legal drinking ages. Want to know more about legal drinking ages around the world? Check out the map below to discover the legal minimum drinking ages of countries around the world!