Subjective and objective measures of response to alcohol among young men at risk for alcoholism

Biological sons of alcoholic men constitute one group at high risk (HR) for the development of alcoholism. A low dose of alcohol (0.5 g/kg) was administered to HR and control subjects. Measures based on self-ratings, an observer's assessment and visuomotor performance were used to compare the HR and control subjects before and after alcohol administration. Results showed HR subjects' self-ratings of intoxication and somatic symptoms were significantly lower than those of control subjects after alcohol administration. Measures based on an observer's assessment of the two groups did not distinguish them, but one measure of visuomotor performance did. Because the HR and control subjects did not differ in self-reported alcohol consumption or blood alcohol levels acquired in this study, it appears unlikely these factors could account for the differential responses to alcohol administration in HR and control subjects.