Real-time help for young adults using alcohol and cannabis together
Official title: Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use in young adults: A micro-randomized trial to reduce substance use and related harms
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11361853 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile app-based program tests when and what types of real-time support (mindfulness tips or protective strategies) best help 18- to 24-year-olds who use alcohol and cannabis together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $731,194 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA063537-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361853 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young adults (approximately 18–24 years old) who report simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis.
✕Less likely to help
Young adults who do not use both alcohol and cannabis together may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project uses a smartphone app to deliver daily randomized intervention content to young adults who use alcohol and cannabis simultaneously. It explores which real-time messages and techniques are most effective in reducing risky use and related harms. Participants will receive mindfulness-based prompts, protective behavioral strategies, or no content on different days to identify what works best in everyday life. By tailoring content to daily situations and mental health symptoms, the study aims to create a practical, just-in-time tool to lower SAM-related risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could become a widely usable tool to reduce risky drinking and cannabis use among young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior real-time intervention studies show mixed results, but real-time microrandomized designs are a promising approach for identifying effective content timing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Linden-Carmichael, Ashley Nicole — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Linden-Carmichael, Ashley Nicole
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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.