Understanding daily patterns of substance use among young adults
Official title: Promoting Rapid Uptake of Multilevel Latent Class Modeling via Best Practices: Investigating Heterogeneity in Daily Substance Use Patterns
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11085282 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how college students use substances like Adderall, vaping, alcohol, and cannabis, and it aims to understand what daily life factors influence these behaviors so we can create better support for those who might be struggling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $668,748 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057588-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085282 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adult college students who engage in substance use behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use substances or are outside the young adult college demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex patterns of substance use among young adult college students, focusing on behaviors such as nonmedical Adderall use, vaping, and the co-use of alcohol and cannabis. By analyzing extensive longitudinal data, the study aims to identify how daily psychosocial factors and individual characteristics influence substance use behaviors. Advanced analytical methods will be employed to uncover the diverse ways substances are used daily, which can inform targeted interventions for those at risk. The goal is to better understand the factors that contribute to substance use and develop effective strategies to address these issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective interventions tailored to the specific needs of young adults struggling with substance use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using advanced analytics to understand substance use patterns, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lanza, Stephanie T — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Lanza, Stephanie T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving contraception decisions for women with substance use disorders after childbirth
A patient-centered decision tool called MyPath aims to help postpartum women with substance use disorders choose and keep effective contraception after giving birth.
-
Co-treated care for substance use and heart infection at UVMMC
A hospital-based project aims to improve how doctors and teams treat people with both substance use disorder and infective endocarditis during their hospital stay.
-
Preventing Suicide Among Teens Who Use Substances in School Settings
Aims to see if how schools respond to substance-use incidents (like alcohol or drugs) can lower suicide risk among high‑risk students.
-
People and Place: How geography affects HIV care and substance use in Los Angeles
Aims to understand how where you live in LA affects HIV care and substance use, and to adapt a proven intervention to help PLWH who use substances connect with better care.
-
A crowdsourced, survivor-led approach to boost HIV/STI/HCV testing and overdose-prevention service use for sex trafficking survivors in NYC
A NYC-based study tests a survivor-driven digital messaging approach and at-home tests to help sex trafficking survivors increase HIV/STI/HCV testing and use overdose-prevention resources.
-
Transforming prison care for HIV, HIV risk, and substance use disorders
A patient-friendly look at improving HIV care and prevention for people in state prisons, especially where substance use is common.
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.