NIH-funded research Career grant

Understanding how alcohol use relates to suicidal thoughts and decision-making.

Official title: Examining the Relationship Between Ongoing Alcohol Use, Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Related Constructs, and Behavioral Economic Decision-Making

Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10984778 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how drinking alcohol might be connected to thoughts about suicide, especially how the way people make decisions can play a role, and it's for anyone who drinks heavily and wants to understand more about their feelings and choices.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kentucky
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lexington, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$130,031
NIH project number1K99AA031309-01A1
Project IDNIH-10984778 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who struggle with alcohol use and may experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not consume alcohol or do not experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in individuals. It aims to explore how behavioral economic decision-making, such as the tendency to devalue future rewards, may influence both alcohol use and suicide risk. By examining factors like social support loss and decision-making processes, the study seeks to identify markers that could predict suicide risk among heavy drinkers. Participants may engage in assessments that evaluate their alcohol use patterns and decision-making behaviors.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing suicide among individuals with alcohol use disorders.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the economic decision-making processes related to substance use can provide valuable insights into treatment outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Kentucky
    Lexington, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Rzeszutek, Mark Justin — University of Kentucky
  • Study coordinator: Rzeszutek, Mark Justin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.