The present results suggest that prevention efforts designed to interrupt the intergenerational transmission of substance use disorders in families of female alcohol dependent individuals may require new approaches. Women with substance use disorders who become mothers more often have partners similarly affected. If the partner is the biological father of the child, the expectation would be that genetic risk factors for externalizing disorders would be elevated in offspring where both parents are affected. The biological father can also provide a negative environment through his continued use of substances. Even If the partner with whom the child lives is not the biological father there is increased environmental pressure for engaging in substance use possibly as result of modeling behavior or just increased availability. Previous work (Hill and Muka, 1996) has suggested that presence of a SUD male “custodial” parent appears to elevate the risk for offspring childhood disorders. The present findings suggest that offspring of mothers with AD are at especially high risk of developing childhood disorders and young adult substance use disorders. The challenge is in finding ways to decrease the intergenerational transmission.
