Natural history of alcohol-use disorders: not the end of the story

Alcohol-use disorders (AUDs) result from a complex interplay of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and their onset and persistence can drastically affect an individual's life trajectory. By mapping the natural history of AUD from initiation to risky use, dependence, remission, and relapse, we can identify crucial developmental windows during which individuals are more susceptible to developing, overcoming, and re-experiencing alcohol-related issues and thus identify important intervention opportunities when preventive or therapeutic efforts might be most effective.