Examining how social and environmental factors affect substance use among healthcare workers
Official title: A Longitudinal Examination of the Social and Environmental Influences on Substance Use among Non-Prescriber/Non-Executive Healthcare Workers in the United States
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11192780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how social and environmental factors affect substance use, mental health, and feelings of hopelessness among healthcare workers in the U.S. who don’t prescribe medication or hold executive positions, especially after the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand the stress and burnout they face so we can find better ways to support them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $641,138 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059443-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are non-prescriber and non-executive healthcare workers, particularly those experiencing stress and burnout.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not healthcare workers or who are in higher-wage healthcare occupations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of social and environmental influences on substance use, mental health, and suicidality among non-prescriber and non-executive healthcare workers in the U.S. It focuses on the unique challenges faced by these workers, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including stress, trauma, and burnout. The study will analyze these factors over time, considering the effects of workplace policies and moral injury. By understanding these influences, the research aims to identify risk and protective factors that can inform better support systems for these workers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health support and substance use interventions for healthcare workers.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on substance use among healthcare workers, this study's focus on non-prescriber and non-executive roles is relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoopsick, Rachel — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Hoopsick, Rachel
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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.