It is seen as plausible that telescoping, the rate of self-reported movement from regular alcohol consumption to the onset of regular heavy drinking, may be a bounded drinking phenomenon influenced by time, gender, ethnicity, and other personal variables. This study examined the possible links between gender, age, racial/ethnic background, and time elapsing between initiation of regular alcohol consumption and the initiation of regular problem drinking. Study participants consisted of 2,037 African-American, Anglo, and Latino males and females representing 5 treatment modalities: therapeutic, residential, methadone maintenance, and intensive and non-intensive outpatient from around the country in 1998 and 1999. Overall, the findings support previous research, indicating that women generally move more rapidly than men from initiation of regular use to problem use (telescoping). Tables, references