Using technology to help reduce alcohol use after weight loss surgery
Official title: A Technology-based Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Use after Bariatric Surgery
Funded at Henry Ford Health System · NIH-10470842 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful program for people who have had weight loss surgery and might be dealing with alcohol use issues, using a computer-based tool and supportive text messages to make it easier for them to manage their drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $216,344 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AA027775-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10470842 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery and are at risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had bariatric surgery or those who do not consume alcohol may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the issue of alcohol use disorder that can develop in patients after bariatric surgery, which is a common weight loss procedure. It utilizes a technology-based intervention that includes a computerized brief intervention followed by personalized text messaging support for six months. The goal is to make this intervention accessible and effective for patients who may struggle with alcohol consumption post-surgery. By gathering patient feedback, the researchers will optimize the intervention to better meet the needs of this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of alcohol use disorder in patients after bariatric surgery, improving their overall health and recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that technology-based interventions can be effective in managing substance use disorders, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health System
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matero, Lisa — Henry Ford Health System
- Study coordinator: Matero, Lisa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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BREW ME Model: How bariatric surgery changes alcohol use biology
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This study is looking into why some people start drinking alcohol again after having weight loss surgery, focusing on how their feelings and eating habits might play a role, and it aims to help create better support for those patients.
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This study looks at how weight loss surgery might change drinking habits and the risk of alcohol problems, focusing on how the gut and brain work together after surgery, so we can better understand what might lead some patients to drink more afterward.
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Understanding how heavy drinking and anxiety relate in emerging adults
This grant studies how heavy alcohol use and anxiety symptoms interact in young adults (ages 18–34) and what biological stress markers might reveal about that relationship.
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.