Other studies have shown religious participation and affiliated practices act as social controls on alcohol use. Twin studies show genetic effects on alcohol use are attenuated at increasing levels of religiosity (Button et al., 2010, Koopmans et al., 1999). Chartier, Dick, and Almasy (2016) found genetic markers associated with alcohol metabolism had weaker effects on high-risk drinking as a function of increasing religious participation. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine the moderating effect of area-level religiosity. Because religious denominations play a role in both promoting abstinence and reducing heavy drinking among those who choose to drink (Michalak, Trocki, & Bond, 2007), we extend prior studies by examining area-level religious adherence and FH in relation to both high-risk drinking and dependence among current drinkers, while controlling for individual-level religious affiliation.
