# Expanding recovery support for emerging adults with alcohol use disorder: Training in the science of social network sites

> **NIH NIH K23** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2022 · $178,466

## Abstract

The overarching goal of this K23 is to support the training of Dr. Brandon G. Bergman, a new clinical
investigator and addiction psychologist located at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical
School (MGH/HMS). His goal is to become an expert in scientific methodologies that capitalize on social
network site (SNS) platforms to promote, and increase our understanding of, recovery-related behavior change
among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). As a major first step toward gaining expertise in the
science of SNSs, the candidate proposes an original, mentored research study focused on recovery-specific
SNSs (recovery SNSs), a novel area of patient-oriented AUD research. Recovery SNSs are similar functionally
to conventional SNSs, such as Facebook and Twitter, though they also provide convenient and flexible access
to recovery resources in a recovery-supportive online community. The study builds on an extensive literature
showing the clinical and public health utilities of in-vivo, recovery-oriented networks, such as Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA), by examining the clinical utility of these digital recovery support services as adjuncts to
outpatient addiction treatment and continuing care specifically for emerging adults (EAs; 18-29 years old). EAs
are targeted because they evidence poorer outcomes relative to older adults, on average, and theory suggests
their social immersion in SNSs can be leveraged to enhance positive recovery expectancies, coping skills, self-
efficacy, and network support for recovery by exposing them to pro-recovery social norms and engaging them
with recovery resources present in recovery SNSs. This mentored study is intended to provide the candidate
with intensive, hands-on training, helping him to develop expertise on which he can build an independent
patient-oriented addiction research program. Dr. Bergman's mentorship team will aid his scientific development
in the following areas: 1) the conduct of original patient-oriented addiction research among emerging adults
with AUD, and mechanisms of recovery-related behavior change (John Kelly; MGH/HMS); 2) the conduct of
health behavior research in digital social spaces (Kamal Jethwani; MGH/HMS); 3) the integration of digital
recovery management in face-to-face addiction treatment (Lisa Marsch; Dartmouth College); 4) longitudinal,
propensity score matching, and mediation approaches to data analysis (Robert Stout, Pacific Institute for
Research and Evaluation); and 5) EA social-developmental processes (Dr. Jeffrey Arnett; Clark University). In
addition to training within MGH/HMS centers (e.g., Partners Connected Health), Dr. Bergman's training plan
also includes substantive coursework at the Emerging Media Studies program at Boston University, and
quantitative coursework at the Harvard School of Public Health. His career goals are in line with the NIAAA’s
emphases on a) the development of innovative behavioral strategies to promote positive drinking behavior
...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10392425
- **Project number:** 5K23AA025707-05
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Brandon G. Bergman
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $178,466
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10392425

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10392425, Expanding recovery support for emerging adults with alcohol use disorder: Training in the science of social network sites (5K23AA025707-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10392425. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*