Understanding how emotions influence alcohol use
Official title: A multiverse analysis of the affect-alcohol use association
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11056063 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our feelings can affect how much we drink, whether to feel better when we're down or to celebrate good times, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding their drinking habits better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $622,411 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030744-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056063 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who consume alcohol and may struggle with emotional regulation related to their drinking habits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between emotions and alcohol consumption, focusing on how individuals may drink to enhance positive feelings or cope with negative ones. By utilizing an innovative approach called ecological momentary assessment (EMA), the study will gather real-time data on drinking behaviors and emotional states across various situations. The research aims to clarify when and how emotional factors influence alcohol use, providing insights that could improve treatment for alcohol use disorder. Participants will be monitored in their natural environments to capture a more accurate picture of their drinking motives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder by tailoring interventions based on emotional triggers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the emotional aspects of alcohol use, but this study employs a novel multi-burst EMA design that has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Kevin Michael — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: King, Kevin Michael
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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.