The Genetics of Alcoholism is the first book to provide comprehensive coverage of this controversial subject.The book is divided into three main sections. Part I on Genetic Epidemiology contains five chapters on different types of studies which when considered together define many of the issues to be addressed in Part II: Laboratory Studies in Animals and Humans of Genetic Influences in Alcoholism. The chapters in this section in turn provide the main themes for Part III - Strategies for Genetic Research in Alcoholism. The book also details those genetic factors that reduce the risk of alcoholism as well as those that increase vulnerability. This integrated approach provides the reader with a thorough and critical overview of the subject and as such is a challenging reference resource for every physician interested in alcohol abuse.