Understanding Alcohol Use in Teens and Young Adults with Autism
Official title: Prevalence, Onset and Progression of Substance Use in Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11448911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study following autistic teens and young adults to understand how and when alcohol use starts and grows over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 18, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $720,089 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AA029008-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Autistic individuals aged roughly 12 to 21+ years, including those diagnosed in childhood and those diagnosed in early adulthood.
✕Less likely to help
If a participant does not experience alcohol use or related risk factors, direct benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
This project tracks autistic youths from adolescence into early adulthood to map how common alcohol use becomes and how it progresses. It uses longitudinal data collection to identify factors like social skills, emotion regulation, anxiety, and inhibition that influence drinking. The goal is to learn which autistic individuals are more likely to start or increase alcohol use and when this might happen, so families and clinicians can plan support. Findings could help tailor prevention and early intervention efforts for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide personalized prevention strategies and reduce alcohol-related harms for autistic youth and young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior related work suggests variability in alcohol use among autistic individuals and potential age-related increases, supporting a longitudinal approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jackson, Kristina Melia — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Jackson, Kristina Melia
Related research
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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.