[The development of alcohol dependence in Germany - results from a multicenterstudy].

Although per capita consumption of alcohol has stagnated during the last years there is some evidence of a tendency to earlier alcohol drinking. Within the context of this study we have evaluated 556 inpatients of 25 hospitals in North Germany, specializing in alcohol problems. The results of this multicenter study draw the conclusion that the tendency of an earlier alcohol consumption is related to an earlier beginning of habit-forming drinking. Therefore young people develop a problematic drinking style at an earlier time. A fatal progress that leads to growing danger in adolescents and increasing numbers of severe alcoholics.