Physiological and psychological factors as predictors of alcoholism risk

This chapter synthesizes data accruing since January 1984 from studies of populations at elevated risk for the future development of alcoholism. These recent data demonstrate the continued potential importance of the decreased intensity of reaction to ethanol in sons of alcoholics, a conclusion bolstered by replications of the less intense postethanol subjective ratings by the higher-risk group, as well as their demonstration of less intense changes in several hormones following drinking. Additional studies also indicate a possible importance of neuropsychological test deficits in higher-risk boys studied in their preteen or early-teen years; information continues to support the importance of the aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern for the alcoholism risk among Orientals, but little consistent information has yet identified other enzyme activity levels or personality profiles as factors significantly different for higher-risk and lower-risk populations. Although studies of populations at high risk for the future development of alcoholism are relatively new, the findings to date have been interesting and could lead to important future developments in prevention and treatment of this prevalent disorder.