By fourth grade children tended to believe that use of alcohol led to positive outcomes, such as higher levels of acceptance and liking by peers and a good mood with positive feelings about oneself. Findings also indicate that 25% of fourth graders studied reported feeling at least some peer pressure to consume alcoholic beverages; this figure increased to 60% among seventh graders.
Dr. John Ewing developed a four-question test, known as the “CAGE” test, that therapists and the medical community frequently use as a first step to evaluate alcohol dependence and/or abuse. The test takes its name from a key word in each question: 1) Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking? 2) Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? 3) Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking? And 4) Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye opener)? One yes suggests a possible alcohol problem.
Taken from : The Gale Encyclopedia Of Psychology 2ND Edition - Bonnie Strickland