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Cited by 3Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesGenetic Associations and EpidemiologyEthics in Clinical Research

Returning Genetic Information About Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder to Adolescents: Findings of a Preliminary Qualitative Study of Precision Prevention

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Weitzman, Elissa R., Blakemore, Laura M., Pierce, Sydney E., Kossowsky, Joe, Levy, Sharon·2024·AJPM Focus
DOI 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100153PMC PMC10711383
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Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol use disorders are heritable, with genetic factors predicting approximately 50% of the risk. Returning information about genetic risk could promote avoidance of alcohol, reducing alcohol use disorder risk. This study explored attitudes toward a precision prevention model of alcohol use disorder targeting adolescents. Methods: This study conducted interviews with adolescents and adults to explore attitudes about precision prevention of alcohol use disorders. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to identify perceptions about acceptability, salience, potential harms, and benefits. Results: Among N=13 participants (mean age 28.6 years, 7 female), 5 had undergone genetic testing, and 6 had a personal or family history of substance use disorder. Attitudes were favorable toward precision prevention of alcohol use disorders for adolescents. Perceived benefits included the potential to engage youth, motivate behavior change, protect family by sharing genetic information, and prompt insight into family problems. Perceived harms included the potential for anxiety, false sense of immunity from alcohol use disorders should genetic testing indicate no heightened risk, and experience of stigma from disclosure or breach of privacy. Conclusions: This qualitative study identified the potential harms and benefits of a precision prevention approach for addressing alcohol use disorder risk targeting adolescents, along with appreciation for the complexities of the model. Research is needed to elucidate operational, ethical, and communication strategies to advance the model.

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  • Women who underwent genetic testing for SUD showed favorable attitudes toward precision prevention in adolescents.

    “In one study, women who underwent genetic testing for SUD showed favorable attitudes toward precision prevention in adolescents.”

    From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [83]

    The Results (Interest in Precision Prevention) report that all 13 interviewees were interested in a proposed model of returning genetic risk information for alcohol use disorder. The Results (Sample Characteristics) say most participants were female and five had previously had genetic testing, but do not establish that those women had undergone testing for SUD. The Methods (Data Collection) describe interviews about a proposed intervention, not SUD genetic testing performed for this study. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Perceived benefits of genetic testing for SUD included increased youth engagement, family protection, and behavior change, though concerns about stigma and privacy persisted.

    “Perceived benefits included increased youth engagement, family protection, and behavior change, though concerns about stigma and privacy persisted.”

    From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [83]

    The Results section on interest and potential benefits reports interest in genetic testing, sharing risk information with family members, and a belief that the information could motivate behavior change. It does not establish family protection as an outcome, and the passages on potential harms discuss anxiety and social withdrawal rather than concerns about stigma or privacy. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Weitzman, E. R., Blakemore, L. M., Pierce, S. E., Kossowsky, J., & Levy, S.
Affiliations
Boston Children's Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Weitzman, Elissa R.
ORCID
Venue
AJPM Focus
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2024-02
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
100153
ISSN
2773-0654 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.focus.2023.100153
PMC
PMC10711383
OpenAlex
W4387234803
Cited by
3
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1
FWCI
0.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • AJPM Focus (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ethics in Clinical Research
Keywords
alcoholism, genetic risk disclosure, personalized prevention, adolescents, genetic testing, heritability, stigma, privacy, family history of substance use

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