RoAD Lab Research
The RoAD Lab uses multiple methodologies including self-report, in-vivo (i.e., in-session) substance administration, and randomized controlled trials to I) uncover risk factors and mechanisms associated with the development of substance use disorders and substance-related consequences, and II) develop and disseminate treatments to reduce and/or eliminate problematic substance use behaviors, particularly among marginalized populations. See below for some of the work ongoing in the lab:
Acute Alcohol Responses
Acute alcohol responses, or the way one responds to drinking alcohol, are a risk-factor for developing an alcohol use disorder. The RoAD lab uses alcohol administration procedures to measure these responses in the lab in order to better understand how they relate to the initiation and maintenance of drinking behaviors. We also aim to understand how these responses develop and/or change over time and how they relate to drinking consequences.
​Hangover
​Hangover is another RoAD Lab interest. Hangovers are a collection of symptoms that develop after a period of substance use when the blood alcohol concentration approaches 0.0 g/dL. The RoAD Lab is interested in accurately measuring and uncovering the mechanisms driving hangover development.
Alcohol & Exercise
Exercise has shown promise as an intervention / adjunct strategy to reduce problem alcohol use. In collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Kinesiology, the RoAD Lab is currently investigating how aerobic exercise can lead to reductions in alcohol craving and alcohol seeking behaviors.
Minority Stress
Minority stress refers to the chronic stress experienced by individuals from marginalized groups due to societal prejudice and discrimination. Our research lab investigates how minority stressors like internalized racism contribute to substance use behaviors. By exploring these connections, we hope to create more effective, culturally-sensitive approaches to substance use prevention and treatment for marginalized communities.
Alcohol & Gambling
​The legalization of online gambling in Ontario has led to large increases in gambling behaviors, particularly among young people. The RoAD Lab is concurrently investigating how alcohol affects gambling behaviors and whether there are differences in strategic and non-strategic gambling.
Intervention Development
Dr. Chavarria has contributed to the development of a rolling (i.e., ongoing enrollment) smoking cessation group intervention and a culturally-targeted single-session smoking cessation intervention for urban African American smokers. The goal of the single-session brief-intervention was to identify and overcome some of the potential smoking cessation barriers that urban African American smokers experience. Although the intervention was successful in reducing the average number of cigarettes smoked per day and increasing the use of nicotine replacement therapies up to six months later, the vastly different demographics of Chicago vs. London preclude the quick extension of this work at Western. As such, the RoAD Lab is interested in identifying the barriers specific to marginalized populations in London and the surrounding communities. Once these barriers are identified, treatment protocols can be developed to overcome these London-specific barriers and help individuals reduce and stop their substance use.
Inflammation & Addiction
Inflammation plays a key role in maintaining everyday homeostatic functioning, protecting us from illness. However, substance use substantially disrupts immune regulation, and emerging evidence suggests that these disruptions may be a mechanism through which substance use contributes to serious mental and physical health consequences. The RoAD lab is currently investigating how peripheral inflammatory responses to acute substance use serve as biological markers of proximal consequences, such as hangover severity, and of longer-term risk for substance use escalation and development of substance use disorders.
