ASPIRE to Change: text-message peer support to reduce risky drinking among non-college young adults
Official title: ASPIRE to Change: Leveraging Text Messaging Peer Support Coaching to Mitigate Hazardous Alcohol Consumption in Non-Collegiate Young Adults
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11397017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A texting program called ASPIRE helps non-college young adults, aged 18–25, cut back on hazardous drinking by using peer support and environmental tips.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $592,877 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030986-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Non-college young adults aged 18–25 who report hazardous drinking and are willing to engage with a text-based program.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not using mobile messaging or not experiencing hazardous drinking may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether a text-m messaging program, ASPIRE, can reduce binge drinking and its consequences among non-college young adults. Building on Social Cognitive Theory, it blends peer-inspired encouragement with strategies to modify the surrounding environment, delivered through bi-weekly texts over three months. Participants are randomized to receive ASPIRE or a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, with assessments sent online at multiple time points to track drinking patterns and peer influence. The study follows up on a successful pilot across 31 states and aims to show whether ASPIRE offers advantages over standard CBT in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, ASPIRE could provide a scalable, accessible way to reduce hazardous drinking in a broad group of young adults who are not in college.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pilots showed reductions in binge drinking days; this study tests a head-to-head comparison with CBT.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suffoletto, Brian P — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Suffoletto, Brian P
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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.