Understanding Anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Paid Research Study

Are you or someone you know struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)? Did you know that anxiety is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms during alcohol withdrawal and early abstinence?

A new research study is now enrolling participants to explore the neurobiological basis of anxiety in individuals recovering from AUD. This study, conducted by leading neuroscientists, aims to shed light on how brain circuits involved in anxiety respond to abstinence from alcohol—and how they change over time.

Participants in the study have the opportunity to contribute to life-changing research while also earning up to $170 for their time and involvement.

This is a unique chance to help advance brain health science, improve future treatments for AUD, and gain deeper insights into how the brain manages anxiety during recovery.

Why This Study Matters: Alcohol Use Disorder, Anxiety, and Brain Health

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects over 14 million adults in the United States alone, and the numbers continue to rise. Beyond its impact on physical health, AUD has serious implications for mental well-being, particularly when it comes to anxiety during abstinence.

Many individuals experience intense anxiety symptoms when they stop drinking, which can make recovery incredibly challenging—and even lead to relapse. These symptoms are not just emotional; they’re deeply rooted in changes in brain function that occur during withdrawal and early recovery.

This study aims to explore exactly how anxiety and brain circuits are affected in individuals with AUD, especially during the crucial early stages of abstinence.

With the help of functional MRI (fMRI) technology, this neuroscience-based approach will offer new insights into how mental health challenges like anxiety can be treated more effectively in people with AUD.

Understanding these brain mechanisms could be the key to developing more targeted treatments that not only help people stay sober but also improve their overall mental health during recovery.

Who Can Join the Study? Participant Recruitment and What to Expect

This groundbreaking research study is currently recruiting participants—both individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and healthy volunteers—to help uncover how the brain processes anxiety during abstinence. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering getting involved:

Who Is Eligible to Participate?

For Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD Participants):

To qualify, you must:

• Be between 21 and 40 years old

• Be right-handed (important for fMRI consistency)

• Be seeking treatment for AUD

• Meet DSM-5 criteria for moderate to severe AUD (at least 4 symptoms)

• Be willing to begin disulfiram treatment (FDA-approved medication that supports abstinence)

You cannot participate if you:

• Have certain medical or psychiatric conditions that interfere with brain scanning (e.g., seizure history, bipolar disorder)

• Have a current substance use disorder other than tobacco or mild cannabis use

• Are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant

• Have taken disulfiram before or have conditions that make it unsafe

• Have already been abstinent from alcohol for more than 7 days at screening

For Healthy Volunteer Participants:

To qualify, you must:

• Be between 21 and 40 years old

• Be right-handed

• Consume fewer than 8 drinks/week (women) or 15 drinks/week (men)

• Have no history of AUD or other major psychiatric conditions

Including a control group of healthy volunteers is essential. It allows researchers to compare brain activity in individuals with AUD to those without, helping isolate which brain changes are due to abstinence and anxiety—and which are part of normal brain function.

What to Expect During the Study

Participants will undergo non-invasive functional MRI (fMRI) scans to assess brain activity. These scans are completely safe and allow researchers to observe how the brain responds in real time to anxiety-provoking tasks or while at rest.

AUD Participants:

• Will be scanned twice:

  • Once during early abstinence (8–14 days after last drink)

  • Again during protracted abstinence (after 3 months)

• Will begin disulfiram treatment and be monitored throughout

• Will complete questionnaires assessing anxiety, mood, and alcohol use

Healthy Volunteers:

• Will be scanned once and complete the same assessments

• Will not receive any medication

All participants will be compensated, with AUD participants eligible to earn up to $170 for their time and commitment.

Get Paid to Make a Difference: Earn Up to $170 for Participating in a Brain Health Study

Participating in research isn’t just about helping others—it’s also an opportunity to earn financial compensation for your time and effort. In this study on anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), eligible participants can receive up to $170.

How Compensation Works

Participants with AUD:

• Will be compensated for each stage of their involvement, including:

  • Initial screening

  • Two fMRI scan sessions (at early and protracted abstinence time points)

  • Completion of questionnaires and follow-up assessments

• The total compensation can add up to $170, depending on full participation across all study components.

Healthy volunteers:

• Will also receive compensation for completing the single fMRI scan and related assessments.

This is a well-structured and respectful incentive for your time, travel, and commitment to advancing mental health research.

Why Participate? The Scientific and Personal Benefits of Joining This Study

Choosing to take part in this research is more than just a decision to participate in a study—it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of mental health care, while also gaining valuable personal insight into your own brain health.

Your Contribution to Advancing Science

By volunteering, you’ll directly support scientific efforts to:

• Uncover how anxiety develops and changes during abstinence from alcohol

• Improve the understanding of how specific brain circuits (like the anterior insula and prefrontal cortex) contribute to anxiety symptoms

• Help develop more effective and personalized treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Your involvement will help researchers answer critical questions like:

How does anxiety evolve during recovery from AUD? And how can we support the brain’s natural healing process through abstinence?

The data collected from your participation may shape future therapies and interventions, benefiting thousands of people worldwide.

Gain Personal Insight Into Your Brain and Mental Health

In addition to helping advance the field of neuroscience, participants will:

• Experience state-of-the-art brain imaging (fMRI), giving you a rare opportunity to see how your brain responds to stress and anxiety

• Reflect on personal patterns of mood, anxiety, and behavior through in-depth questionnaires

• Become more aware of the mental and emotional aspects of recovery or general well-being

Whether you're someone with AUD looking to make a change, or a healthy volunteer eager to contribute to a greater cause, your participation will help break new ground in how we understand and treat mental health.

Take the Next Step: Be Part of a Study That’s Changing the Future of Mental Health

This research study is a unique opportunity to explore one of the most pressing challenges in mental health: the link between anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) during abstinence. By focusing on the neurobiological circuits that drive anxiety—especially in early recovery—researchers aim to improve treatment strategies and support long-term healing for individuals affected by AUD.

Ready to Participate or Learn More?

If you're interested in contributing to groundbreaking research on anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)—and earning up to $170 in the process—now is the time to get involved.

How to Apply or Get More Information

To learn more or see if you’re eligible, please visit the official study page:

Visit the Study Website (Hosted by the Zuckerman Institute MRI Research Unit – Columbia University)

Blog Disclaimer

This blog is an independent platform created to share publicly available information about ongoing research studies, primarily sourced from the official NIH (National Institutes of Health) website and other publicly accessible databases. Our goal is to hold space for individuals to explore research opportunities that may align with their interests or health profiles.

We do not work directly with the research teams or institutions conducting these studies, nor are we involved in participant selection, communication, or study oversight. All decisions regarding participation are determined solely by the research teams based on their specific study requirements and eligibility criteria.

We do not receive funding or compensation from research programs or from individuals who choose to participate. This platform is informational only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice or the official study pages.

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For detailed information or to apply to a study, please contact the listed study coordinators directly through the links provided.