Men and women who develop alcoholism in middle age began drinking earlier in life than non-alcoholics, according to a research study published in May by James L. York, a pharmacologist at the Research Institute on Addictions.

"This is the first time that detailed data have been published about the early alcohol use of people who later develop alcoholism," York said. "These findings can help us identify young people who are at risk of developing alcoholism." The study of lifetime drinking patterns of alcoholics was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol.

York interviewed 273 middle-aged alcoholics and 152 moderate drinkers in the Buffalo area. Among his findings:

Early drinking: Alcoholics began drinking regularly at an earlier age than non-alcoholics (about age 16 for men and age 17 for women). Moderate drinkers started their alcohol use about one to two years later.

Heavy drinking: In their youth, alcoholics drank heavily, averaging six drinks per sitting in their teen years and 12 drinks per sitting in their early twenties. In comparison, moderate drinkers averaged three drinks per sitting when they were young, an amount that did not change significantly in their adult years.

The Research Institute on Addicition, (RIA) an affiliated institute with the University at Buffalo, is located at 1020 Main St. It is part of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, which provides its basic funding.

Directed by Howard T. Blane, a psychologist and nationally known addictions researcher, the RIA is a national leader in the field of alcohol and other drug studies. With a staff of almost 200 working on 40 separate studies of alcohol, illicit drug abuse and related issues such as crime and violence, it also provides treatment for addicted persons as part of research programs in its Clinical Research Center.

In 1993, RIA was designated a National Alcohol Research Center by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.