Family-Based Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Recurrence and New Non-Alcohol Substance Use Disorder Onset...

Area of Science:

• Addiction research
• Genetics of substance use disorders
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Understanding factors predicting alcohol use disorder (AUD) recurrence and switching to other substance use disorders (SUDs) is vital for prevention.
• Family history of SUDs may influence an individual's recovery trajectory and risk for subsequent SUDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether the density of first-degree relatives with AUD and non-alcohol substance use disorder (NASUD) histories predicts AUD recurrence or new NASUD onset in probands after initial AUD recovery.
• To determine the specificity of family SUD history in predicting the course of AUD and subsequent SUDs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, multigenerational data from the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project (OADP).
• Sample included 244 probands with AUD histories who recovered by age 30.
• Assessed lifetime SUD histories for 790 first-degree adult relatives of probands.

Main Results:

• Unadjusted analyses showed family densities of AUD predicted AUD recurrence, and NASUD densities predicted new NASUD onset.
• Fully adjusted analyses revealed that AUD family history remained a predictor of AUD recurrence.
• However, family NASUD history did not predict new NASUD emergence in fully adjusted models.

Conclusions:

• Family SUD histories are relevant for predicting AUD recurrence post-recovery.
• There is some specificity regarding the type of SUD recurrence predicted by family history.
• AUD family history specifically predicts AUD recurrence, while NASUD family history's predictive power for new NASUD onset is not maintained after full adjustment.