alcohol stimulation at re-examination while heavy drinkers with intermediate AUD symptoms were largely intermediate on their alcohol responses, i.e., in between the low and high AUD groups in alcohol sensitivity. The combination of changes observed supports alcohol response phenotype as an important factor in the development and continuation of excessive drinking and may inform future prevention and intervention approaches. While there are multiple pathways to development of a disorder as complex as AUD, maintenance of alcohol stimulatory and rewarding effects and lower sedative and neuroendocrine responses should be further examined as potential important pathways underlying development and progression of alcohol addiction processes.
