Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2/18/2026

Development of a Culturally Grounded, Trauma-Informed Alcohol Intervention with a Reserve-Dwelling First Nation Group

Award Number: R34AA028587
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/05/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/30/2025

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Development of a Culturally Grounded, Trauma-Informed Alcohol Intervention with a Reserve-Dwelling First Nation Group - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Alcohol is one of the primary determinants of health disparity facing Indigenous populations today. Indigenous populations exhibit the highest rates of binge and heavy drinking, and lifetime (43.4%) and 12- month (19.2%) rates of alcohol use disorder are substantially higher than among other racial/ethnic groups. Further, Indigenous populations are significantly less likely to complete alcohol treatment; those that complete treatment are quicker to relapse and display more severe patterns of alcohol use. There is a paucity of empirically based interventions designed by and for Indigenous communities, which has led communities and research partners to rely on adaptations of existing empirically based interventions originally designed for non- Indigenous populations. Indigenous populations have increasingly advocated for health interventions to be culturally grounded. A culturally grounded approach involves close collaboration among communities and researchers in the design of intervention efforts rooted in Indigenous knowledge, protocols, and practices. This draws from cultural strengths, using Indigenous history, language, values, and healing traditions as a way for Indigenous populations to reclaim their cultural beliefs and practices. Research that applies a culturally grounded framework to address historical trauma in alcohol interventions is a critical next step to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous populations. Indigenous populations have faced histories of genocide, colonization, forced assimilation, and exclusion that undermine health and well-being. Historical trauma resulted in cultural shifts in alcohol use. Acts of oppression stemming from colonization such as the banning of traditional ways of healing left Indigenous people without mechanisms for coping with emotional distress. This coupled with the emotional aftereffects of historical trauma made Indigenous people vulnerable to developing maladaptive ways of coping. Indigenous populations began using alcohol as a way of self-medicating to escape or avoid traumatic memories and emotional pain associated with historical trauma. The objective of this project is to develop and obtain preliminary data on a culturally grounded, trauma- informed alcohol intervention. The specific aims are to (1) use Community-Based Participatory Research methods to deepen partnerships with Kingsclear First Nation through capacity-building and knowledge sharing; (2) collect and apply qualitative data to develop a culturally grounded, trauma-informed alcohol intervention that is focused on historical trauma for use with a First Nation sample; and (3) conduct a pilot RCT study to examine acceptability, sustainability, and initial efficacy data of the intervention compared to waitlist control. The research team (PIs: Spillane and Weiss; Co-I: Yang; Consultants: Gore and Moore) has expertise in the study content (e.g., alcohol use and historical trauma among Indigenous populations) and methods (e.g., intervention development, clinical trials). This work is important, timely, and innovative. Addressing alcohol use has important implications for the health of Indigenous populations.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$19,911 )
2026	2023	UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND	75 LOWER COLLEGE RD RM 103	KINGSTON	RI	02881	WASHINGTON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	2/4/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$19,911
														Subtotal = -$19,911

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2023	UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND	75 LOWER COLLEGE RD RM 103	KINGSTON	RI	02881	WASHINGTON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	4/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND	75 LOWER COLLEGE RD RM 103	KINGSTON	RI	02881	WASHINGTON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	8/12/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $210,600 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND	75 LOWER COLLEGE	KINGSTON	RI	02881	WASHINGTON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	3	5/15/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$210,600
														Subtotal = $210,600

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $210,600 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND	75 LOWER COLLEGE	KINGSTON	RI	02881	WASHINGTON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	2	3/31/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$210,600
														Subtotal = $210,600

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $210,600 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND	75 LOWER COLLEGE	KINGSTON	RI	02881	WASHINGTON	USA	Alcohol Research Programs	000	1	7/2/2021	NEW	$210,600
														Subtotal = $210,600

Grand Total All Awards = $611,889

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Development of a Culturally Grounded, Trauma-Informed Alcohol Intervention with a Reserve-Dwelling First Nation Group

Award Number: R34AA028587

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/05/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 09/30/2025

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