PROJECT SUMMARY
Excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) remain prevalent in the United States, with the mortality
rate associated with alcohol use increasing. Despite ongoing developments, many existing treatments for
harmful alcohol use and AUD have only modest effects. There is a clear need for more effective intervention
strategies, which could be informed by theoretically-driven etiological research on alcohol use and recovery in
individuals’ natural environments. Behavioral economics suggests two candidate processes that harmful
alcohol use may occur through: rapid devaluation of future outcomes (delay discounting, DD); and over-
valuation of alcohol (reinforcing value, defined as demand or preference for alcohol). While researchers are
currently equipped with methods to manipulate these processes, the changes they produce are ephemeral;
and the majority of evidence suggesting DD, and to a lesser extent alcohol value, play an etiological role in
substance use are from trait levels of these measures. The scientific goals of this K99/R00 are to determine
the predictive utility of state-level measures of delay discounting (Aim 1) and alcohol value (Aim 2) for real-time
alcohol use in the field during maintenance of harmful alcohol use (Study 1; K99); and to subsequently
determine whether these findings generalize to natural recovery from AUD (Study 2, Aim 3; R00). Participants
will be community-dwelling adults engaging in excessive alcohol use (Study 1; N = 64), and those who have
recently recovered from AUD without intervention (Study 2; N = 64). Participants in both studies will be in the
age range at which excessive drinking and onset of AUD peak (21-35 years old). In both Studies 1 and 2,
participants will complete baseline sessions, a 21-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) period, and
an end-of-study visit. EMAs will be randomly delivered throughout the day to assess DD and measures of
alcohol value. During the EMA period, alcohol use will be both objectively measured using transdermal alcohol
sensors and by self-report. The knowledge gained through these aims will guide the development of more
effective interventions for excessive alcohol use and AUD by testing the predictive utility of theoretically-
grounded processes; and complement the candidate’s basic laboratory expertise in behavioral economics.
Research and training activities will be completed at the University of Florida, which is home to the Center for
Behavioral Economic Health Research, multiple NIH-funded addiction-related research centers, and extensive
career development opportunities. A strong mentoring team of AUD experts will guide the candidate’s
development of skills to conduct field-based research using technologically-advanced assessment methods in
populations with excessive alcohol use and AUD; an enhanced understanding of behavioral economics as
applied to AUD; and additional time to establish herself in the field as an alcohol researcher. Ultimately, this
training will ensure the candidate’s success in obtaining a faculty position in a research-focused institution and
confer the skills and knowledge needed to substantively contribute to reducing harmful alcohol use and AUD.