Understanding how alcohol affects pain in people with alcohol use disorder and chronic pain
Official title: A Translational Human Laboratory Model to Elucidate Mechanisms of Alcohol's Impact on Pain in Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Chronic Pain
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11444910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how alcohol changes pain sensitivity in adults with alcohol use disorder and chronic pain using a controlled IV alcohol setup.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $578,234 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032917-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with or without AUD and chronic non-cancer low-back pain who are stabilized on analgesics (excluding opioids and benzodiazepines) and can complete in-lab sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without chronic pain or alcohol use disorder or those unable to participate in IV alcohol procedures may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Adults with alcohol use disorder and chronic pain will participate in two sessions where they receive alcohol or a placebo in a tightly controlled setting to measure pain responses at specific blood alcohol levels. The study compares four groups: healthy controls, AUD only, chronic pain only, and both AUD and chronic pain, to see how these conditions interact to affect pain. Researchers will use a computer-controlled IV system to create precise alcohol levels and assess analgesic and hyperalgesic responses across time, linking lab findings to real-world pain and drinking patterns. The goal is to identify targets for therapies that address both pain and alcohol misuse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Participants and future patients could benefit from better understanding of how alcohol affects pain in the context of AUD and chronic pain, which may guide more effective treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous human laboratory work has shown alcohol can have analgesic and hyperalgesic effects at different phases of drinking, supporting continuation of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Aquino, Joao Paulo — Yale University
- Study coordinator: De Aquino, Joao Paulo
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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.