Alcohol use disorders are a serious public health problem that increases morbidity and mortality rates, and costs society billions of dollars a year in treatment. Treating alcohol use disorders has proven to be a challenging task because of the high rates of relapse and alcohol taking behaviors. Genetic vulnerabilities increase the risk of alcohol dependence as well as the co-abuse of alcohol with other drugs of abuse. My research focuses on the influence of genetic factors on development of alcohol addiction, as well as the co-abuse of alcohol with other drugs (i.e., nicotine, cocaine).