NIH-funded research R01 grant

A therapy group designed specifically for women Veterans with alcohol use issues

Official title: A Female-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group for Alcohol Use Disorder in VA Primary Care Settings

Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11013915 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is creating a special group therapy program just for women Veterans to help them with alcohol use issues, making it easier for them to get support in their regular doctor’s office.

More Alcohol Use research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Worcester, United States)
Project startFebruary 5, 2021
Project endJanuary 31, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$581,852
NIH project number5R01AA028240-05
Project IDNIH-11013915 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are women Veterans who are experiencing alcohol use disorder and prefer female-specific treatment options.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not identify as female or who do not have alcohol use issues may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a female-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group aimed at addressing alcohol use disorder (AUD) among women Veterans in primary care settings. The study seeks to adapt existing CBT methods that have been effective for civilian women to create a tailored program for female Veterans, who often face unique challenges and barriers to treatment. By providing this therapy in a primary care environment, the research aims to improve access to care and enhance treatment outcomes for women Veterans struggling with alcohol-related problems. The approach emphasizes the importance of gender-specific content and a supportive group setting to encourage participation and engagement.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment access and outcomes for women Veterans with alcohol use disorder.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with gender-specific treatment approaches for alcohol use disorder, indicating potential for this adapted program.

Where this research is happening

  • Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
    Worcester, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Epstein, Elizabeth Ellen — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
  • Study coordinator: Epstein, Elizabeth Ellen

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.