Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with a host of adverse medical, psychiatric, and social consequences. Globally, in 2012, about 3.3 million or 5.9% of all deaths, 139 million disability-adjusted life years, and 5.1% of the burden of disease and injury were attributable to alcohol consumption, with the magnitude of harm determined by the volume of alcohol consumed and the drinking pattern1. Regular heavy drinking is the major risk factor for the development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD), a chronic, relapsing condition characterized by impaired control over drinking2. Independent of AUD, heavy drinking has a multitude of adverse medical consequences. Identifying factors that contribute to drinking level and AUD risk could advance efforts to prevent, identify, and treat both medical and psychiatric problems related to alcohol.
