Helping new mothers reduce heavy drinking after childbirth
Official title: Helpline Delivery of Brief Interventions for Postpartum Heavy Episodic Drinking
Funded at Partnership to End Addiction · NIH-10983527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help new moms who are having a tough time with drinking in the first few months after giving birth by creating a friendly digital helpline where they can chat with experts and get helpful tips to support their journey to healthier habits.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $251,309 |
| NIH project number | 1R34AA031581-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postpartum women who are experiencing heavy episodic drinking and are seeking support to reduce their alcohol consumption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not postpartum or who do not engage in heavy episodic drinking may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create and test a digital helpline that provides support to new mothers struggling with heavy drinking in the first three months after giving birth. The program will offer real-time text communication with professionals and automated messaging to deliver brief interventions tailored to the unique challenges faced by postpartum women. By using a combination of motivational interviewing and coping skills training, the helpline seeks to help mothers maintain lower alcohol consumption levels and prevent negative health outcomes for both themselves and their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce heavy drinking among new mothers, leading to improved health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that digital interventions and helplines can effectively support individuals in reducing alcohol consumption, indicating a promising approach for this population.
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.