PROJECT SUMMARY Initiating excessive alcohol drinking during adolescence is known to disturb typical neurodevelopment, increase the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), and accelerate involutional processes in adulthood. This application proposes examination of socioeconomic status (SES) and racial/ethnic differences in the Recovery specialty project of the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence - Adulthood (NCANDA- A). The Recovery Project at the Duke, OHSU, and UCSD Research Sites examines the extent to which short- term (i.e., 4 weeks) alcohol use discontinuation results in acute improvement in cognition, affect, sleep and resting heart rate, and reversal of the adverse structural and functional brain effects of frequent binge alcohol use. For this application, we will extend analyses planned in the parent grant with supplemental analyses of patterns and predictors of abstinence and changes in behavior for adolescents and young adults participating in the four-week abstinence protocol who identify as from diverse socioeconomic and minoritized ethnic/radial backgrounds. We will test the hypothesis that predictors of recovery after 4 weeks of discontinuation of alcohol consumption, and predictors of improvements in behavior and affect during this time, will differ by SES and ethnic/racial group. The study has two specific aims. Aim 1 will investigate how four weeks of abstinence influence mental health (depression and anxiety), physical activity level, social interaction, and self-reported sleep as a function of socioeconomic indicators and racial/ethnic group. Aim 2 will examine cultural, community, and context predictors of abstinence and improvements by SES and racial/ethnic group. Analyses within the Recovery Project will serve as pilot research to assist the candidate in understanding the social determinants of these aspects of health. A “Research Independence Plan” is proposed to shape the candidate’s future goals and professional development during the training period through weekly meetings with Dr. Sandra Brown, guided readings, and supervised writing, data analysis and scientific dissemination. The trainee will work with the NCANDA research team at UC San Diego to learn the Recovery protocol, attend biweekly seminars on substance use research with adolescents, and receive professional development mentorship with Dr. Brown in weekly meetings, including the responsible conduct of research.