Symptoms of alcohol abuse, not dependence, may better reflect family risk for alcohol use disorders

Individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) vary widely in their age of onset of use, patterns of drinking, and symptom profiles. AUDs are often 'divided' into two categories: alcohol abuse (AA) and alcohol dependence (AD), with AA perceived as a milder syndrome that might develop into AD over time. A recent study of the clinical features of AUDs, with a focus on family liability, has found that –- contrary to expectations –- AA symptoms better reflect familial risk for AUDs than AD symptoms.

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