Understanding what leads to early alcohol use in young adolescents

Identification of Prospective Predictors of Alcohol Initiation During Early Adolescence

NIH-funded research University of Florida · NIH-10994600

This study is looking at what might lead teenagers to start drinking alcohol before they turn 16, using information from a large group of over 11,000 young people to help find ways to prevent early drinking.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Florida NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Gainesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10994600 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the factors that predict early alcohol initiation among adolescents, specifically focusing on those who may consume alcohol before the age of 16. By analyzing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, which includes over 11,000 youth participants, the project aims to identify both known and novel predictors of alcohol use. The researchers will employ advanced statistical methods and machine learning techniques to explore the relationships between various risk factors and early alcohol consumption. This comprehensive approach seeks to enhance our understanding of adolescent alcohol use and inform future prevention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 9 to 10 years who are at risk for early alcohol initiation.

Not a fit: Patients who are already over the age of 16 or those who do not have any risk factors for early alcohol use may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention programs aimed at reducing early alcohol consumption among adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in identifying predictors of adolescent alcohol use, but this study aims to utilize novel data-driven approaches, making it a potentially groundbreaking effort.

Where this research is happening

Gainesville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.