Heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) significantly impact public health by increasing physical and mental health problems and related costs (Rehm et al., 2009). Many factors influence the risk for these drinking phenotypes, including genetic variation (Kendler et al., 2007). Among the most widely studied risk genes for AUDs are alcohol dehydrogenase genes, which control the oxidation of alcohol (ethanol) to acetaldehyde in alcohol metabolism.
