ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the contribution of genetic and environmental factors across adolescence to the risk for alcohol use. Twin and family studies have found that both genetic and environmental factors influence adolescent drinking. Twin studies are particularly useful as monozygotic twins share 100 per cent of their genetic material and similar familial environments. Despite the relatively small impact of genetics on adolescent alcohol initiation and early use, there are some polymorphisms that have been associated with alcoholism in teenagers and young adults. Both genetic and environmental factors influence adolescent substance abuse and differentially impact their initiating use and progression to abuse across the trajectory of adolescence. Genetic factors and their impact on adolescent alcohol use have also been identified by IMAGEN. Individuals with high genetic susceptibility to alcoholism may select peer groups that have greater rates of alcohol abuse. Similarly, the environment can impact the expression of genetic risk factors for alcohol consumption.
