How alcohol use and suicide risk relate in daily life after AUD treatment
Official title: Examining transactional relationships between sensor-derived alcohol use data and acute suicide risk in daily life
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-11416467 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study follows people after residential alcohol treatment to understand how moment-to-moment drinking and suicide risk are connected and how digital tools can help prevent crises.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $679,980 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031484-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416467 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals recently discharged from residential alcohol use disorder treatment who own a compatible device and are willing to use a transdermal alcohol sensor and participate in EMA prompts.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not recently discharged from AUD treatment or unable to participate in ongoing digital monitoring may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a 30-day window after residential alcohol treatment to track acute alcohol use and suicide risk in real time. Researchers will combine data from a transdermal alcohol sensor and self-reports collected via ecological momentary assessment to map timing and triggers. The goal is to identify when risk spikes occur and what psychological factors drive them, so digital tools can prompt timely support. About 300 participants will contribute data during community re-entry to inform targeted prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to real-time detection and intervention tools that reduce suicide risk for people re-entering the community after AUD treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Past work shows promise in EMA and sensor data linking behavior to risk, but this study advances by focusing on proximal, time-sensitive relations after treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiss, Nicole Holland — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Weiss, Nicole Holland
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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.