Familial risk for alcoholism and hangover symptoms

Previous work suggests sons of alcoholics (SOAs) report greater hangover symptoms than do sons of nonalcoholics (SONAs) (Newlin and Pretorious, 1990; McCaul, Turkkan, Svilis, and Bigelow, 1991). This study sought to replicate this work and examine the relation between personality risk for alcoholism and hangover. Twenty SOAs and 20 SONAs completed the MacAndrew scale as an index of personality risk for alcoholism. They also completed the McCaul et al. (1991) and Newlin and Pretorious (1990) assessments of hangover after consuming a placebo in one session and alcohol (0.5 g/kg) in two subsequent consecutive sessions. The MacAndrew scale did not covary with hangover. Data revealed main effects for familial risk for both hangover questionnaires. SOAs reported significantly greater hangover symptoms than did SONAs. Individuals at elevated familial risk for alcoholism reportedly experienced more acute withdrawal and hangover, which might contribute to the development of problem drinking.