Does it really matter when your teen takes that first drink?

Yes, say researchers in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Specifically, taking that first sip of alcohol before age 15 seems to dramatically increase the risk for developing alcoholism later in life.

"The key finding of this study was that people who started drinking before age 15, and to a lesser extent those who started drinking at ages 15 to 17, were more likely to become alcohol dependent as adults than people who waited until 18 or older to start drinking," explains Deborah A. Dawson, staff scientist at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and one of the study authors. Dawson explains that the later a teen delays the first drink, the less likely she or he will have problems with alcohol later in life.

Experts recommend delaying the onset of drinking as late as possible, and until at least age 18 or older.