The proportion of risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD) that can be attributed to genetic factors is as high as 60%. This data invokes heritability comparisons to both high blood pressure and diabetes, and reinforces the importance of considering patients’ genotypes when seeking or recommending new treatments for a disorder that has historically proven difficult to manage.

Bankole A. Johnson, DSc, MD The Dr. Irving J. Taylor Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology Professor of Medicine, Neurology, and Pharmacology Director of the Brain Science Research Consortium Unit University of Maryland School of Medicine

Disclosure: Chairman, Adial Pharmaceuticals