Can a person be too young to have problems with drug addiction and alcoholism?

Yes: Yes if they cannot feed themselves like babies and toddlers. Addiction need ability to access the substance and compulsion/cravings that cannot be controlled so starts at the level of middle school and becomes a problem then on.

Anyone can be addict: Unfortunately, even newborns can be addicted to their birth mother's drug habits.Of course, it is not the innocent baby's or child's choice to become addicted;it is the choice of the addicted caregiver-parent. But, they still can be addicted and in need of expert pedicatric-neonatal intensive care.Usually social workers--child/youth services coordinate a foster care home, hoping the family=o-k.

Early Alcoholism: Definitely not. In fact, the younger one begins drinking, the worse his/her prognosis is for later alcoholism and recovery. Part of the concern is that younger drinkers' (i.e. - preteens or adolescents) brain development is stunted by substance use. A second concern is that young people who abuse alcohol learn to depend on it in social situations, etc. That they are still learning to navigate.