Another factor that has been shown to alter the response to alcohol, particularly in men, is having a family history of alcoholism. In fact, a family history of alcoholism is one of the best predictors of subsequent alcohol abuse or dependence (Hinckers et al., 2006; Warner et al., 2007). A number of studies, primarily by Schuckit and colleagues, have shown that males with a first-degree family history of alcoholism (FHP) are less sensitive (i.e., have a low level of response) to the subjective and performance-impairing effects of alcohol (e.g., Pollock et al., 1986; Schuckit, 1984, 1985). These results were supported by a meta-analysis of 17 independent studies (Pollock, 1992) and a 10-year follow-up study showed that males who were less sensitive to the behavioral effects of alcohol were more likely to develop alcoholism, particularly if they had an alcoholic father (Schuckit, 1994). It should be noted that not all alcohol challenge studies in FHP males have shown a low response compared to FHN males (McCaul et al., 1990, 1991a, 1991b; Newlin and Thompson 1991, 1999; O’Malley and Maisto, 1985).
