The behavioral genetics of alcoholism

Twin and adoption studies consistently implicate the importance of genetic influences on alcoholism risk, especially in men. Heritability estimates su ggest that approximately 50% to 60% of the variability in alcoholism liabil ity is associated with genetic factors. Although there has been progress in identifying specific genes that predispose toward alcoholism, we know rela tively little about the nature of the genetic influence on alcoholism risk. We also know relatively little about how genetic factors combine with envi ronmental factors to affect alcoholism risk. Genotype-environment interacti on models posit that alcoholism occurs when individuals both inherit a vuln erability to develop alcoholism and are reared in a provocative environment . Such models hold great promise for understanding alcoholism's etiology.