Beginning in 1990 and following approval from Human Subjects’ Protections Committees at all six COGA data collection sites, original probands and their relatives were assessed with the valid and reliable Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA) interview (Bucholz et al., 1994; Hesselbrock et al., 1999). Data at study entry (i.e., baseline) included current demography, standard drink-based quantities (as defined below) and drinking frequencies for the prior six months, lifetime histories of alcohol problems, lifetime mental health histories, childhood and adolescent conduct problems, as well as current scores for the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), Novelty Seeking Questionnaire (Cloninger et al., 1991), and the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Questionnaire (Zuckerman, 1996). Data were also gathered using the Self-Report of the Effects of Alcohol (SRE) measure regarding the number of standard drinks (12 grams ethanol as seen in 12 oz beer, 4 oz of nonfortified wine, or a single “shot” of whisky, gin or similar beverages) required for up to 4 effects of alcohol, including first feeling any effect, slurring speech, feeling unsteady when walking, and unwanted falling asleep. The average drinks
