The UCSF family study recruited probands with lifetime DSM-IV alcohol dependence and the relatives of those probands, nation-wide. In addition, a community sample was ascertained in order to estimate population means and standard deviations for heritability and linkage analyses. Participants were recruited through the use of semi-targeted direct mail, a web site, press releases and advertisements and from alumni of treatment centers across the nation. Probands were invited to participate if they met screening criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lifetime and had at least one sibling or both parents available to participate in the study. With the permission of the proband, relatives were invited by mail to participate.
