Further efforts are still required to test the efficacy of prevention/intervention programs targeting other genetically-influenced risk factors for heavy drinking and alcohol problems, such as impulsivity, disinhibition, negative mood, and coping-related drinking motivations, and to assess the overall effectiveness of receiving personalized information (regardless of what domain it is tailored to) versus one-size-fits-all programs. Further, as the epidemiological sample of college students here and in the pilot study had low levels of alcohol use and thus a limited ability to decrease their use, targeted interventions should also be tested among heavy or problem drinkers. Risky drinking behaviors have a strong genetic basis, and while genes are difficult to modify, cognitive and behavioral prevention programs that provide education about risks, recalibrate social norms, and teach skills to cope with stress and manage peer influences have the potential to overcome pre-existing genetic vulnerabilities. Creating effective and cost-efficient targeted programs is an essential step in reducing the enormous health and financial burden associated with heavy drinking among college students.
