Blood Alcohol Content Limit Laws and Alcohol-Related Outcomes
Project Number: 1R21AA032354
PI: Meenakshi Subbaraman, PhD
Studies confirm that Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limits reduce drunk driving crashes, but few examine their broader effects on alcohol consumption and related outcomes. Currently, only Utah has a 0.05 BAC limit (implemented 2019), while 49 states maintain 0.08 limits. With other states considering 0.05 limits, understanding these broader impacts could inform policy decisions. This secondary analysis project will use causal methods and existing datasets (1970-2024 alcohol policy data, National Alcohol Survey, BRFSS, sales data, and mortality files) to examine three aims: (1) how BAC limits relate to alcohol consumption and mortality in the general population, (2) these relationships specifically among young adults, and (3) changes in Utah's alcohol consumption and mortality since implementing the 0.05 limit. This research addresses a timely policy need as multiple states consider lowering their BAC limits.
Peer Helping, Retention, and Relapse in Sober Living Houses
Project Number: 5R01AA028252
PI: Douglas Polcin, EdD
Sub-PI: Meenakshi Subbaraman, PhD
Sober living houses (SLHs) are alcohol- and drug-free living environments for persons attempting to abstain from substances and develop a long-term program of recovery. Studies have shown residents in these homes make significant, sustained improvements in multiple areas of functioning, including abstinence from alcohol. One of the strongest and most consistent predictors of relapse is shorter retention in the house. Focus groups with SLH managers suggest peer helping enhances retention, commitment to the household, and commitment to recovery. Building upon an ongoing longitudinal study of SLHs, the proposed study will assess the relative impact of helping behaviors on retention, and in turn, on relapse.
Alcohol and pregnancy: benefits and harms of state-level policies
Project Number 5R01AA023267
PI: Sarah Roberts, DrPH
Sub-PI: Meenakshi Subbaraman, PhD
Previous research finds state-level policies targeting alcohol use during pregnancy at best have had no impact on drinking during pregnancy or related outcomes and, at worst, contribute to public health harms. Understanding effects of these policies is crucial to our ability to adopt and implement policies that will lead to reductions in harm from alcohol use during pregnancy. This project examines impacts of state pregnancy-specific alcohol policies and expands focus to identify general population alcohol policies that reduce harms related to alcohol use during pregnancy.
Trajectories of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy
Project Number: 1R01DA054953
PI: Katrina Mark, MD
Biostatistician: Meenakshi Subbaraman, PhD
This project aims to more clearly define if and how women change their cannabis use after recognition of pregnancy by following women throughout their pregnancy and quantifying use each month. Additionally, we intend to identify potentially modifiable factors that are associated with continued cannabis use during pregnancy in order to improve counseling and treatment efforts with a goal of improving pregnancy outcomes. We will also compare birth outcomes between women who continue to use, quit using or never used cannabis during pregnancy.
Enhancing Effectiveness Research on Recovery Housing for Persons Prescribed Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
Project Number: 1R24DA051974
PI: Amy Mericle, PhD
Biostatistician: Meenakshi Subbaraman, PhD
Recovery housing may be a critical component in a comprehensive response to the current opioid crisis, but evidence-based practices in recovery housing for those being treated with medications for opioid use disorders are lacking. By developing a national multi-stakeholder network, hosting webinars for researchers and recovery housing providers, and supporting mentored pilot studies for new recovery housing researchers, this project aims to develop the infrastructure necessary to begin developing this evidence base.
