Loneliness, social isolation, and alcohol/drug use over time in U.S. adults
Trajectories of Isolation and (A)Loneliness with AOD Use, 2019-2027: A National Egocentric Network Study of US Adults
This project follows U.S. adults ages 30–80 over eight years to see how loneliness, social connections, and alcohol or drug use change together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11392985 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be followed each year for eight consecutive years and asked about your social connections, feelings of loneliness and the newer idea of "aloneliness," plus any alcohol, cannabis, or other drug use. The study uses surveys and egocentric network questions that ask who you regularly interact with and how close you feel to them. You would also answer standard questions about depression and anxiety so researchers can look at mental health as a link between social connection and substance use. The project aims to create the largest long-term dataset on adult social connection and substance use to guide prevention and care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are U.S. adults aged 30–80, including those who drink alcohol, use cannabis or other drugs, or who feel socially isolated or lonely.
Not a fit: People under 30, those living outside the U.S., or anyone seeking immediate clinical treatment may not receive direct benefit from this observational project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk and inform prevention programs or clinical strategies that reduce harmful alcohol and drug use tied to loneliness and isolation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked loneliness to substance use, but long-term egocentric network approaches and the concept of aloneliness are relatively new, so this project is a novel extension of existing findings.
Where this research is happening
Santa Monica, United States
- Rand Corporation — Santa Monica, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pollard, Michael Sean — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: Pollard, Michael Sean
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 below.