Understanding Chronic, Cumulative Stress as a Mechanism Associated with Alcohol Craving to Inform Adapting Alcohol Treatment

Yale University, New Haven CT

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Tailoring treatment has been proposed as one approach that might increase treatment satisfaction and retention among groups studied less in alcohol research. Given that extensive research links stress to alcohol craving and relapse, incorporating chronic, cumulative stressors is a reasonable target for adapted alcohol treatments for those studied less in alcohol treatment research. Although prior research shows acute stress predicts alcohol misuse, prior research has not investigated alcohol craving as a potential mechanism that links chronic, cumulative stressors to alcohol misuse. In addition, knowledge of cues associated with drinking may be important for informing alcohol treatment adaptations. Further, knowledge of neutral/relaxing events could inform coping strategies to include in alcohol treatment. The proposed research will: 1) identify specifically which chronic, cumulative stressors and types of alcohol cues trigger alcohol craving and strategies for coping; 2) provide an in-depth understanding of the impact of chronic, cumulative stressors on alcohol craving; 3) identify other factors associated with chronic, cumulative stressors that contribute to AUD and should be included in AUD treatment; and 4) provide evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of adapting an early CBT session based on these factors. Completing this research will support my development as an independent alcohol treatment researcher with a focus on priority populations and my career goals to 1) conduct meaningful research with hard to reach populations; 2) investigate coping strategies and mechanisms that maintain AUD among groups studied less in alcohol research, and 3) lead rigorous clinical trials research to develop and test adapted treatments for people with AUD. I will achieve my research and career goals through training and mentorship by experts in: alcohol treatment research (Dr. Stephanie O’Malley), personalized imagery procedures and stress and craving research (Dr. Rajita Sinha), chronic, cumulative stressors and treatment adaptations for priority populations (Drs. Monnica Williams and Christina Lee), treatment development (Dr. Brian Kiluk), and community-based participatory and qualitative research methods (Dr. Chyrell Bellamy), and collaboration with a biostatistician with expertise in clinical trials research (Dr. Ralitza Gueorguieva). My research and training will be completed at Yale School of Medicine, which has an abundance of physical and intellectual resources. Receiving this training and completing this research will support my long-term career goal to eliminate alcohol treatment health imbalances among people with AUD.