A main objective of the present report was to examine risk factors across distinct transitions in the development of AUD in order to identify those that were common and those that were specific to particular transitions, and to discuss these in light of particular domains of risk influence. In general, we observed considerable consistency of significant influences across transitions, with hazards of all 4 transitions elevated for offspring ever use of cannabis and externalizing disorders, and hazards for 3 transitions elevated for parental AUD, perceived peer substance use and internalizing disorders. Influences related to timing of transitions were especially apparent for initiation of alcohol use, where many were linked to very early use, before age 13, and further, before age 15. For later transitions to AUD problems and to AUD, parental AUD (and especially maternal AUD with or without paternal AUD), cannabis use, internalizing and externalizing disorders, and perceived substance use of peers were associated with increased hazards of transitioning that were for the most part constant. Several findings deserve further comment.
