Understanding why some young adults have trouble stopping drinking and what happens as a result
Official title: A comprehensive examination of predictors and consequences of impaired control over drinking using combined laboratory, longitudinal, and ecological momentary assessments
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11448609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at why some 21-year-olds struggle to limit their drinking and how that affects short- and long-term outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $707,504 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032818-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young adults around age 21 who are studying or living in the community and who have concerns about their drinking.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without current concerns about drinking may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will explore how young adults’ ability to control drinking is influenced by moment-to-moment feelings, environments, and drinking patterns. They will combine lab tasks, long-term tracking, and real-time self-reports to map predictors and consequences of impaired control over alcohol use. The project aims to identify which factors most strongly forecast risky drinking and related problems, with the goal of informing prevention and support strategies for young people. Participation may involve in-lab sessions, daily diaries or smartphone-based prompts, and periodic assessments over several years. The findings could help tailor interventions to individuals who struggle to limit drinking in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of who is at risk could lead to personalized prevention and early intervention strategies for young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports links between impaired control and negative drinking outcomes, with this study aiming to extend knowledge using comprehensive, multi-method data.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merrill, Jennifer Elizabeth — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Merrill, Jennifer Elizabeth
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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.