Understanding the causes of extreme alcohol drinking in young adults

A Multi-Method Study of Extreme Alcohol Drinkers in the Lab and in Real-Life: Increasing Precision of Assessments of Extreme Drinking Determinants

NIH-funded research University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-10906323

This study is looking at what causes some young adults to drink a lot of alcohol, especially to dangerous levels, by observing them in real-life situations and measuring their blood alcohol levels, so we can better understand the reasons behind extreme drinking.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10906323 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the factors that contribute to extreme alcohol consumption among young adults, particularly those who may reach dangerously high blood alcohol levels. By employing a combination of laboratory experiments, ecological momentary assessments, and real-time blood alcohol content measurements, the study aims to gather comprehensive data on the influences of both personal and environmental factors on extreme drinking behavior. Participants will be monitored in real-life situations to better understand the triggers and patterns associated with extreme drinking. This approach seeks to overcome the limitations of traditional self-report methods, providing a more accurate picture of extreme drinking dynamics.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 21 and older who engage in high levels of alcohol consumption.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or who are not within the age range of 21 and older may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and intervention strategies for extreme alcohol consumption among young adults.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been some research on binge drinking, this study's focus on extreme drinking using a multi-method approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Columbia, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.