How men and women differ in their response to stopping alcohol use.

Sex Differences in the Response to Abstinence from Alcohol.

NIH-funded research Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10473818

This study looks at how men and women respond differently when they stop drinking alcohol, aiming to find out why women might develop drinking problems faster than men, so that treatment can be better suited to each gender's needs.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIndiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10473818 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how men and women react differently to periods of abstinence from alcohol. It aims to understand why women may progress more quickly from social drinking to problematic drinking compared to men. By using a novel approach that includes laboratory experiments and community studies, the research will explore the mechanisms behind these differences in alcohol-seeking behavior after abstinence. The findings could help tailor treatment options for alcohol use disorder based on gender-specific responses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are moderate to heavy drinkers, particularly women who may be experiencing issues related to alcohol consumption.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or have a history of alcohol use disorder may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder that consider gender differences.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that gender differences exist in alcohol consumption behaviors, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Indianapolis, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.