Moderating effects of genotype were supported for polymorphisms implicated in two distinct mechanisms relevant for alcohol dependence; namely, executive cognitive functioning (COMT) and alcohol metabolism (ALDH2). The current findings for COMT Val158Met can potentially be interpreted in the context of existing knowledge about COMT and executive cognitive functioning (Bilder et al., 2004; Winterer & Weinberger, 2004). Specifically, Met carriers typically demonstrate higher performance on working memory tasks requiring cognitive stability, but diminished cognitive flexibility on tasks that require shifting cognitive demands, rapid alternation between response execution and inhibition, and/or disengagement of cortical states (e.g., Bilder et al., 2004; Neuhaus et al., 2009; Opgen-Rhein et al., 2008; Turnbridge et al., 2006). Therefore, one interpretation of the current findings is that relatively poorer cognitive flexibility among Met carriers renders these individuals less able to disengage from the influence of reflexive cognitive processes once initiated. While the current data cannot inform this prediction directly, this interpretation is consistent with findings concerning the joint influence of implicit alcohol cognitions and executive cognitive processes on drinking outcomes (Grenard et al., 2008; Houben & Wiers, 2009;
