Understanding alcohol use after weight loss surgery
Official title: Biobehavioral Mechanistic Model of Alcohol Use Following Bariatric Surgery: The BREW ME Model
Funded at Sanford Research North · NIH-10774539 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how weight loss surgery might change drinking habits and the risk of alcohol problems, focusing on how the gut and brain work together after surgery, so we can better understand what might lead some patients to drink more afterward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Research North NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fargo, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $784,687 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA031237-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10774539 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone or are considering metabolic and bariatric surgery and are concerned about alcohol use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone bariatric surgery or do not have concerns about alcohol use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how bariatric surgery affects alcohol consumption and the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. It focuses on the role of the gut microbiome and its interaction with the brain in influencing drinking behaviors post-surgery. By examining these mechanisms, the study aims to identify factors that contribute to increased alcohol use in patients who have undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery. The research employs a transdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from microbiology, neuroscience, and behavioral science.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing alcohol use disorder in patients after bariatric surgery.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of alcohol use post-bariatric surgery are still being explored, there is growing evidence supporting the role of the microbiome in influencing alcohol consumption behaviors.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Research North
Fargo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Engel, Scott G — Sanford Research North
- Study coordinator: Engel, Scott G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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BREW ME Model: How bariatric surgery changes alcohol use biology
A study investigates why some people drink more or develop hazardous drinking after bariatric surgery, using biology and behavior to understand the change.
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Why alcohol use can increase after bariatric (weight-loss) surgery
This project looks at whether changes in gut bacteria and brain reward after bariatric surgery make alcohol more rewarding for people who have had the operation.
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Understanding alcohol use after weight loss surgery
This study is looking into why some people start drinking alcohol again after having weight loss surgery, focusing on how their feelings and eating habits might play a role, and it aims to help create better support for those patients.
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Using technology to help reduce alcohol use after weight loss surgery
This study is testing a helpful program for people who have had weight loss surgery and might be dealing with alcohol use issues, using a computer-based tool and supportive text messages to make it easier for them to manage their drinking.
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Biomarkers to detect recent heavy drinking in veterans
A doctor-scientist team is testing blood biomarkers to better identify recent excessive alcohol use in veterans so clinicians can screen, counsel, and care for those at risk.
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Understanding how heavy drinking and anxiety relate in emerging adults
This grant studies how heavy alcohol use and anxiety symptoms interact in young adults (ages 18–34) and what biological stress markers might reveal about that relationship.
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.