Most past year alcohol initiates in 2010, 82.4 percent of the 4.7 million, were younger than 21 the first time they consumed alcohol.
Older adults who began consuming alcohol earlier in life tend to have worse treatment outcomes than those who began drinking later in life.
Methamphetamine is toxic to dopamine nerve terminals in the central nervous system.
The perception that alcohol use is socially acceptable is evident in the fact that more than 80% of American youth consume alcohol before their 21st birthday.