Testing genetic pathways to addiction via non-specific risk behaviors across development consistent with cascade models is innovative as it articulates the mechanistic structure of the process and in so doing identifies specific behavioral operations taking place at specific ages. Our findings indicate that individual differences in resiliency and behavioral control represent two non-specific neurobiological underpinnings for an externalizing pathway to addiction. However, more work is necessary regarding interactions across multiple genetic systems, interactions with social contexts, and replication studies before firm conclusions can be made to directly inform intervention programs.
