Genetics and Personality Influence Early Adolescent Drinking Risks

A recent study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University highlights that the likelihood of teenagers beginning to drink alcohol is shaped by a combination of genetic factors and personality traits, alongside environmental influences. This comprehensive research, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, utilized data from the extensive Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which tracks nearly 12,000 U.S. youths from age 9 to 18, assessing their mental health, brain development, and substance use.

The findings emphasize that early alcohol use is not solely driven by external factors like peer pressure or curiosity. Instead, individual characteristics such as genetic predispositions toward behavioral disinhibition—a tendency toward impulsivity and difficulty with self-control—play a significant role. This trait, often linked to conditions like ADHD and substance use disorders, was identified as a critical predictor of early sipping behavior.

Furthermore, the study revealed that the transition from initial alcohol exposure to more frequent drinking is more influenced by personal factors such as sensation-seeking behavior and genetic makeup than by environmental context alone. Genetic risk scores, neuroimaging data, psychological assessments, and environmental factors were integrated to analyze three key milestones: the age at first sip, age at first full drink, and the speed of progressing between these stages.

Importantly, even after accounting for environmental and neurobiological data, genetic predispositions—especially those associated with behavioral disinhibition—remained strong predictors. This underscores the potential of combining genetic screening and behavioral assessment in designing early prevention strategies. The research suggests that interventions targeting impulsivity, encouraging school engagement, and fostering positive parenting could effectively delay or prevent early alcohol use among high-risk youths.

This study advances our understanding of the multifaceted nature of adolescent alcohol initiation, emphasizing the importance of considering genetics and personality traits alongside environmental factors for more targeted prevention. The insights gained could inform early intervention programs aimed at reducing long-term mental health issues and substance use disorders linked to early alcohol exposure.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-genetics-personality-traits-early-teen.html