We present results of a candidate gene association study between SNPs in 17 alcohol metabolizing genes and two alcohol phenotypes. In this sample of European Americans, SNPs in eight genes suggest association with one or both of the outcomes. Although the effect of the genetic factors presented here on the overall problem of alcohol abuse and dependence is modest, it is likely that these or proximal polymorphisms contribute to the inter-individual variation in alcohol metabolizing capacity and subsequent risk for alcohol dependence. Combinations of polymorphisms in genes involved in both stages of alcohol metabolism may also interact to affect alcohol behavior.
