Using mindfulness to help people reduce alcohol use through online support
Official title: Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention as Video Conferencing Continuing Care to Promote Long Term Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-10897247 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how online mindfulness sessions can help people with alcohol use issues by offering support and strategies to cut back on drinking and feel better overall, making it easier for more folks to join in on their recovery journey.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $669,684 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031159-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897247 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing challenges with alcohol use and are open to reducing their drinking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are seeking complete abstinence without interest in reduction strategies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mindfulness-based relapse prevention can be delivered through video conferencing to support individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in their recovery journey. The approach focuses on providing ongoing care and support to help participants reduce their alcohol consumption and improve their overall well-being. By expanding the definition of recovery to include reductions in drinking rather than just abstinence, the study aims to engage more individuals who may be hesitant to seek traditional treatment. Participants will receive guidance and strategies to manage their drinking behaviors effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more accessible and flexible treatment option for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder, potentially leading to improved health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mindfulness and harm reduction strategies can be effective in supporting individuals with alcohol use disorder, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Witkiewitz, Katie a — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Witkiewitz, Katie a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention via Video Calls for Long-Term Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder
A funded program tests video-delivered mindfulness-based relapse prevention to support adults with alcohol use disorder in achieving long-term recovery.
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Video mindfulness program to support long-term recovery from alcohol use
This offers live video mindfulness sessions as continuing care for adults with alcohol use disorder to help reduce heavy drinking and support recovery.
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How a spouse's mental health and substance use may affect a partner's drinking problems
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Cognitive Processing Therapy plus Relapse Prevention for people with alcohol problems and PTSD
This trial offers a combined Cognitive Processing Therapy and relapse-prevention program for adults with alcohol use disorder and PTSD to reduce drinking and PTSD symptoms.
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Personalized relapse risk tool for people with alcohol use disorder
This project aims to build a personalized tool using brain and behavior data plus machine learning to predict relapse risk for adults with alcohol use disorder.
-
How a spouse's mental health affects alcohol problems during marriage
This project looks at whether a spouse's psychiatric problems or genetic risk change when married people develop, recover from, or relapse into alcohol use disorder.
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.