Familial risk for alcoholism and hangover symptoms

previous work suggests sons of alcoholics (SOAs) report greater hangover sy mptoms than do sons of nonalcoholics (SONAs) (Newlin & Pretorious, 1990; Mc Caul, Turkkan, Svilis, & Bigelow, 1991). This study sought to replicate thi s work and examine the relation between personality risk for alcoholism and hangover. Twenty SOAs and 20 SONAs completed the MacAndrew scale as an ind ex of personality risk for alcoholism. They also completed the McCaul et al . (1991) and Newlin and Pretorious (1990) assessments of hangover after con suming a placebo in one session and alcohol (0.5 g/kg) in two subsequent co nsecutive sessions. The MacAndrew scale did not covary with hangover. Data revealed main effects for familial risk for both hangover questionnaires. S OAs reported significantly greater hangover symptoms than did SONAs. Indivi duals at elevated familial risk for alcoholism reportedly experienced more acute withdrawal and hangover, which might contribute to the development of problem drinking. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.