Although previous studies have observed differences in drinking behavior in those with at least one ADH1B*3 allele (Ehlers et al., 2001), no such differences were observed in the current study. This may be the result of eligibility requirements for the study. Participants were only enrolled in the alcohol challenge portion of the study if they reported recent drinking at quantities at least equal to the amount of alcohol administered in the study. The similarity in recent drinking behavior between those with ADH1B*1 and ADH1B*3 alleles reduces the likelihood that ADH1B differences in alcohol response are due to differences in recent drinking history or alcohol tolerance.
