Digital helpline to reduce postpartum heavy drinking in new mothers
Official title: Helpline Delivery of Brief Interventions for Postpartum Heavy Episodic Drinking
Funded at Partnership to End Addiction · NIH-11397495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A digital helpline program helps new mothers reduce heavy drinking in the first 3 months after birth using real-time text support, brief guidance, and resources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Partnership to End Addiction NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $252,168 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AA031581-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Postpartum mothers who have or are at risk for heavy episodic drinking in the first 3 months after childbirth.
✕Less likely to help
Mothers without concerns about alcohol use or who do not engage with digital helplines may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates a postpartum friendly helpline with live text support and automated messages to help new mothers cut down on heavy drinking after delivery. It uses a structured approach (MOST framework) to develop and test components like assessment, education, coping skills, and links to resources, all tailored to the postpartum period. The study will begin with building and refining the helpline, then run a pilot factorial trial to see which components work best.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the helpline could provide an accessible, confidential way for new mothers to reduce risky drinking and improve outcomes for both moms and babies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior helplines and digital brief interventions show promise, but this study adapts them specifically for the postpartum period using a rigorous optimization framework.
Where this research is happening
-
Partnership to End Addiction
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dauber, Sarah E. — Partnership to End Addiction
- Study coordinator: Dauber, Sarah E.
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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.