The present results demonstrated that offspring from multiplex families selected through an AD woman, have a 4–5 five fold odds of developing SUD by young adulthood. This compares with odds of 2–3 fold seen in community based samples where offspring of alcohol and drug dependent parents have been investigated (Marmorstein et al 2009b). Importantly, both male and female offspring from multiplex maternal AD families were equally as likely to meet criteria for SUD by adulthood (32.6 % and 35.1%, for males and females, respectively). This compares with DSM-IIIR reported rates of 35.4% and 17.9% for males and females in the National Comorbidity Survey (Kessler et al 1994). Both male and female high risk offspring frequently met DSM-III criteria for Conduct Disorder (26.1 and 15.8% in males and females, respectively). This compares to 12% for males and 7% for females reported in national surveys (Nock et al 2006). The increased risk for Conduct Disorder seen among high risk offspring in this study may set the stage for increased risk for developing SUD along with other psychiatric disorders of adulthood. Using a
