The specific AUD criteria stated in Hypothesis 5 reflected characteristics of AUD probands whose young adult offspring in a prior paper gave a false negative report of a family history of alcohol problems (Schuckit et al., in press). Our data indicated a correlation of .28 between a proband’s own denial of a general alcohol problem and lack of recognition of problems in that parent by their offspring. Three of the four criteria that were associated with false negative family history reports by offspring also characterized AUD probands with their own denial including much time spent with alcohol (D5), use despite physical/psychological problems (D7), and use despite social/interpersonal problems (A4). These results highlight AUD criteria clinicians might take time to define when trying to help individuals better understand what AUDs are and to gain greater insight into their future vulnerabilities toward adverse alcohol-related outcomes.
