The risk for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and high alcohol consumption are influenced by genetic factors that are specific to alcohol (Kendler et al. 2003; Hicks et al. 2004; Macgregor et al. 2009) and by a broader genetic susceptibility to externalizing disorders/traits (Kendler et al. 2003; Hicks et al. 2004, 2007). We understand little, however, about the etiologic role of these two classes of genetic risk factors on alcohol-related behaviors across development. The first goal of this study was to examine the impact of specific and non-specific alcohol-related genetic risk factors on alcohol consumption in males from late childhood to mid-adulthood. This is a crucial time in the drinking history, as it is generally during this period that alcohol is initiated and regular patterns of use established.
