Alcoholism during adolescence.

It is well known that drug abuse is common in early adolescence with almost the same epidemiological characteristics in economically developed and undeveloped countries. Alcohol abuse is a problem worldwide, which destroys ones social, economical and family life. Our country is in a transition period and consists of postwar society. Therefore, all risk factors for alcohol and other substances abuse are present such as social, economical and medical risk factors. Parents and peers seem to have strong impact on adolescent's behavior. Youngsters like to experiment with a risky life style without adequate knowledge about long-term health damages and risks. Finding risk factors related to alcohol abuse among early adolescents is necessary for appropriate prevention approach. Research covers 600 adolescents (400 in rural and urban part of Sarajevo and 200 in urban and rural part of the Canton Tuzla, as well). Adolescents are of equal gender and age distribution. We used Q 2000 as research tool. Study design is prospective, epidemiological and analytical. Results have been compared within groups, between cantons and among groups. Out of total number of adolescents 93 (15.55 %) were abusing alcohol, 62.4 % of them were from urban and 37.6 % were from rural areas. Results show numerous risk factors related to alcohol abuse among adolescents which could be used as base for preventive activities.