Summary
This project aims to investigate the neural, neuroendocrine, and behavioral differences in individuals who simultaneously use alcohol and cannabis (SAM users) compared to single substance users and a control group, focusing on stress-related processes.
What they want
The project will recruit a sex-balanced sample of 440 male and female individuals across four groups: SAM users, alcohol-only users, cannabis-only users, and a control group (neither binge/heavy alcohol use nor cannabis use). Participants will complete a neuroimaging session, including a stress cue reactivity task during fMRI and blood draws for stress-induced cortisol response. Additionally, participants will complete three 14-day bursts of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over one year, focusing on daily experiences of stress, craving, and drug use at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months post-baseline. The research will investigate how neural and neuroendocrine responses to stress are moderated by group, sex, and their interaction; how these factors moderate momentary relationships between stress and craving/use in daily life; and how they moderate the trajectory of craving/use over a one-year follow-up period.
Deliverables
- Advanced understanding of the mechanisms by which SAM use increases risk for substance use disorders and other negative outcomes
- Guidance for future intervention and prevention efforts related to SAM use
Technical requirements
- Neuroimaging session
- fMRI during a stress cue reactivity task
- Blood drawn to assess stress-induced cortisol response
- Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) bursts
