Understanding how emotions influence alcohol use decisions
Official title: Exploring affect-motivated alcohol use as a value-based decision-making process
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10922869 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our feelings influence our choices about drinking alcohol, and it’s designed for people who want to understand more about their drinking habits and how emotions play a role in them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $174,625 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AA030591-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922869 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who experience challenges with alcohol consumption and are motivated to understand the emotional factors influencing their drinking habits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have no interest in understanding their drinking behavior may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how emotional states affect the decision-making processes related to alcohol consumption. By utilizing advanced techniques such as ecological momentary assessment and computational modeling, the study aims to capture real-time data on alcohol use in natural settings. The research will involve training a new scientist, Dr. Jonas Dora, who will collaborate with leading experts in the field to explore the interplay between affect and alcohol use behaviors. This approach seeks to provide insights that could inform interventions for individuals struggling with alcohol-related issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective strategies for preventing and treating alcohol abuse by understanding the emotional triggers behind drinking behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between emotions and addictive behaviors, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dora, Jonas — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Dora, Jonas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Alcohol use and suicidal thoughts: how decision-making affects risk
This project looks at how acute alcohol use and people’s decision-making patterns relate to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adults.
-
Understanding how affect and motivation influence heavy drinking decisions
A researcher is studying how feelings influence when and why people choose to drink heavily, with the goal of helping people who struggle with alcohol use.
-
Understanding how alcohol use relates to suicidal thoughts and decision-making.
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.
-
How stress affects decision-making in people with alcohol use disorder
This study is looking at how stress affects decision-making in people with alcohol use problems compared to those without, using brain scans to see how stress changes the way we think and make choices about drinking.
-
Understanding how octopuses integrate sensory information and make decisions
This study is exploring how octopuses use their arms to grip things by looking closely at their nervous system and movements, which could help us understand their amazing abilities better.
-
Biomarkers to detect recent heavy drinking in veterans
A doctor-scientist team is testing blood biomarkers to better identify recent excessive alcohol use in veterans so clinicians can screen, counsel, and care for those at risk.
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.