Competing theories explaining the relation between sensation seeking and alcohol consumption have been described in the literature. Broadly, dual‐systems models contend that bottom‐up reward‐based drive (i.e., sensation seeking) leads to early consumption and lack of top‐down self‐regulation leads to the development of heavier alcohol consumption and subsequent consequences. 8 , 9 In contrast, acquired preparedness models argue that associations between sensation seeking and alcohol consumption are partially mediated by enhancement drinking motives and positive expectancies. 10 Despite their differences, both models posit that early drinking is driven by the positively reinforcing effects of alcohol and suggest links to later AUD development may be indirect, such that sensation seeking leads to increases in consumption that, in turn, increase risk for AUD.
