Using emergency department visits to start treatment for alcohol use disorder
Official title: Emergency Department-Initiated Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10875360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how emergency rooms can better help people with alcohol use problems by offering support and medication during their visit, and it’s comparing two different ways to do this to see which one works best for getting patients the help they need afterward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $740,914 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030568-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals visiting the emergency department who have moderate to severe alcohol use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those who are not seeking treatment for their alcohol consumption may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how emergency departments can effectively initiate treatment for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) during their visits. It aims to screen patients for AUD, enhance their motivation to seek help, and provide medication treatment right in the emergency setting. The study will compare two approaches: one that includes a brief intervention and referral to treatment, and another that adds medication to the intervention. By doing this, the research seeks to improve patient engagement and ensure that individuals receive the necessary follow-up care after their emergency visit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment initiation for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder, potentially saving lives and improving health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that combining pharmacological and behavioral therapies can be effective in treating alcohol use disorder, but this specific approach in the emergency department setting is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hawk, Kathryn — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Hawk, Kathryn
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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.