Understanding alcohol use after weight loss surgery
Official title: Identifying Factors Influencing Alcohol Use after Bariatric Surgery: An Ecological Momentary Assessment
Funded at Henry Ford Health System · NIH-10836974 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $224,755 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA029423-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10836974 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery and are between 6 months to 3 years post-operation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had bariatric surgery or those who are not experiencing issues with alcohol use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how and why some patients begin to drink alcohol again after undergoing bariatric surgery, which is a common weight loss procedure. It focuses on identifying factors such as mood and eating behaviors that may influence alcohol consumption in these patients. The study will involve interviews with individuals who have had the surgery to gather qualitative data, which will then inform a larger quantitative phase to assess these factors more broadly. By understanding these influences, the research aims to develop better support strategies for patients post-surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help prevent alcohol use disorders in patients after bariatric surgery, leading to better overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into alcohol use disorders, this specific approach focusing on post-bariatric surgery patients is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health System
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matero, Lisa — Henry Ford Health System
- Study coordinator: Matero, Lisa
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 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.
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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.