An heuristic model for the inherited predisposition to alcoholism.

A research prop-am studyina individuab aeneticaUy at hiP risk for alcoholism is preseuted. Multiplleratioaal nonproblem-drinkinl sons of male alcobolics display a pattern of autonomic byperreaclivity to a variety of stimuli. This pattern of readivity is siini6cantly dampened by hiP doses of alcobol. These individuab also display difficulty on copitive tests sugestive of prefrontal lobe dysftmction. This response pattern is not cbatacteristic of controls nor of dauabten of multipllerationaJ male alcobolics. A model is presented that hypothesizes a copitive disturbance underlyina the byperreactivity and posiu a problem in the attribution of meaJlina to novel stimuli and threateDina evenu. Alcoholism is a pervasive and pernicious dis­ order. Five to 10% of adults abuse or are depen­ dent upon alcohol (Kamerow, Pincus, & Mc­ Donald, 1986). The physical, social, and economic consequences of alcoholism are so se­ vere that, by comparison, detrimental effects of illegal substance abuse pale to relative insin Harwood, Napoli­ tano, & Kristiannsen, 1984). Given the death, mayhem, and economic loss these facts repre­ sent, one mi&ht assume that the etioloay of the problem would be weU delineated and that dem­ onstrated effective treatments would be avail­ able. Unfortunately, one would err in formi111 both assumptions. lt bas been estimated (Na­ than, 1987) that less than 5% of alcoholics are ever treated. lf rouably 50% of those treated re