Alcohol use and suicidal thoughts: how decision-making affects risk
Official title: Examining the Relationship Between Ongoing Alcohol Use, Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Related Constructs, and Behavioral Economic Decision-Making
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11592176 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how acute alcohol use and people’s decision-making patterns relate to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AA031309-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11592176 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with alcohol use concerns and relevant emotional distress or suicidal thoughts interested in contributing to this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without alcohol use concerns or suicidal thoughts may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
If you are 21 or older and struggle with alcohol use, this study will explore how quick, risky choices and the desire for immediate rewards relate to thoughts of suicide. Researchers will examine different types of decision-making, including how people value rewards now versus later and how likely they think outcomes are, in the context of alcohol use and bereavement. The goal is to identify behavioral patterns that could signal higher risk and inform future prevention efforts. The study is hosted at the University of Kentucky and led by Dr. Mark Justin Rzeszutek.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these decision-making patterns could lead to better screening and personalized support for people at risk of suicide who struggle with alcohol use.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research links behavioral economic decisions to substance use treatment outcomes, with mixed results—this study tests additional decision-making domains.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rzeszutek, Mark Justin — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Rzeszutek, Mark Justin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.