Web-Based Diaries of Psychiatric Symptoms – Drinking Study
Many people find it helpful to reflect on their own drinking habits. When drinking, it’s important to track how much you’re consuming, how long you’ve been drinking, and how frequently you drink in a given time period. Estimating your intake can be tricky, especially when you’re not preparing the drinks yourself. That’s why it helps to understand what constitutes a “standard” drink and consider the alcohol “proof”, which refers to a measure of the alcohol content in a beverage, specifically double the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). In the U.S., a standard drink contains about 14 grams (or 0.6 fluid ounces) of pure ethanol. This amount is typically found in:
· 12 ounces of regular beer (5% ABV),
· 5 ounces of table wine (12% ABV), or
· 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% ABV, or 80 proof).
Because actual alcohol content and serving sizes vary widely across beverage types, people often underestimate how much they’ve had. Ultimately, taking a moment to reflect on your relationship with alcohol can offer valuable insight and potentially support positive changes for your health.
That’s why, at the University of Michigan, we’re launching Web-Based Diaries of Psychiatric Symptoms – Drinking (DoPS-DR, HUM00273558), a research project inviting voluntary participants to track their thoughts and behaviors related to alcohol over a 30-day period using a web-based application. The goal of this study is not to change your current habits, but to gain a better understanding of alcohol use that can inform future research.
Eligible participants include:
– 21+ years old
– Drinking weekly
Those eligible will complete an informed consent process and a brief screening/baseline assessment before beginning the 30-day reporting period. If you’re interested in participating or would like to learn more, please reach out at BPResearch@med.umich.edu or by phone at (877) 864-3637 or click this link to screen. We’d be happy to answer your questions.
