How do the genetic risk factors for SUDs fit into the broader scheme of genetic risk for other psychiatric disorders? Genetic risk factors for SUD are part of a broad genetic liability to “externalizing” disorders, which includes conduct disorder, antisocial personality and probably personality traits related to poor impulse control and sensation seeking9,10. Although the precise mechanism of comorbidity is under debate, the bulk of evidence suggests that it arises because a shared set of risk factors (both genetic and environmental) predispose to both SUD and these externalizing behavioral disorders and traits.
