NIH-funded research R21 grant

Creating tools to help prevent early high-risk drinking

Official title: Development of practical screening tools to support targeted prevention of early, high-risk drinking substance use

Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11045495 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on creating helpful tools for doctors and researchers to spot early signs of risky drinking habits, making it easier for them to support people who might need help.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project startSeptember 30, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$157,976
NIH project number3R21DA058314-02S1
Project IDNIH-11045495 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are young individuals at risk of developing high-risk drinking behaviors, particularly those involved in the ABCD Study.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not at risk for early high-risk drinking or those who do not participate in the ABCD Study may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing practical screening tools aimed at preventing early and high-risk drinking behaviors. By creating an open-source toolkit that includes metadata, code, and workflows, the project seeks to make it easier for clinicians and researchers to evaluate and implement effective screening methods. The toolkit will be disseminated through various platforms, including a free R package and webinars, to ensure accessibility for end-users. This initiative aims to enhance the ability of healthcare providers and policymakers to identify at-risk individuals and allocate resources more effectively.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention strategies for high-risk drinking, ultimately reducing alcohol-related harm in young populations.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in developing screening tools for substance use prevention, indicating that this approach has potential for impactful outcomes.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Diego
    La Jolla, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Pelham Iii, William Ellerbe — University of California, San Diego
  • Study coordinator: Pelham Iii, William Ellerbe

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.