Genetic factors are one of numerous components thought to contribute to the development of substance use disorders (Heath et al., 1997). Heavy and problematic alcohol use behaviors demonstrate moderate levels of heritability (Heath and Martin, 1994; Prescott et al., 1994, 1997), and findings from twin, family, and adoption studies indicate that genetic factors account for 48–66% of the variation in alcohol dependence (Agrawal et al., 2012). Despite evidence for a substantial genetic contribution to these traits, molecular genetic studies have had limited success in the identification of specific variants or genes contributing to these heritable influences. Alternative approaches have focused on intermediate phenotypes underlying risk for alcohol use disorders, including an individual’s subjective response to alcohol (Ray et al., 2010; Ray et al., 2016). Alcohol produces a range of pharmacological responses largely related to its stimulating and pleasant effects, sedative and unpleasant effects, and tension reduction (Ray et al., 2009; Bujarski et al., 2015). Variability in a person’s experience of these effects is thought to influence risk for problematic alcohol use and alcohol dependence (Schuckit and Smith, 1996; King et
