Romantic relationships are another important context impacting and affected by alcohol use outcomes. We have found that AUD and other substance use problems are associated with a reduced likelihood of marriage and higher risk of divorce in our COGA families. 104 Further, among those who marry young (average age 21), individuals with higher genetic risk for alcohol consumption report more heavy episodic drinking, suggesting that early marriage may exacerbate risk for those with higher polygenic load. 105 These findings are in line with other studies that have found environments that are more restrictive tend to reduce genetic influences, whereas environments that promote greater availability or acceptance of substance use increase the importance of genetic effects. 94 , 106 , 107
