Chris Kahler
@chriskahlerphd.bsky.social
Psychologist, Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Director, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health. Vice Prez, Research Society on Alcohol. Intervention researcher: alcohol, smoking, HIV
Reposted by Chris Kahler
At this point, all NIN institutes and centers have made at least one new or competitive renewal award except for NIAAA, NEI, NCCIH, NLM, and FIC.
Progress but still much to do to catch up to historically normal rates.
4/4
Progress but still much to do to catch up to historically normal rates.
4/4
February 9, 2026 at 5:41 PM
At this point, all NIN institutes and centers have made at least one new or competitive renewal award except for NIAAA, NEI, NCCIH, NLM, and FIC.
Progress but still much to do to catch up to historically normal rates.
4/4
Progress but still much to do to catch up to historically normal rates.
4/4
NIH-funded scientists, this is the explainer you need! It breaks down the FY26 budget and outlines the ominous threats to science funding. Of note: "Despite oft repeated claims that the bill allows “no more” multiyear funding, it is important to note that the “more” is relative to FY2025 levels."
As we start the think about F&27 appropriations, unpacking the FY26 budget may help set us up for next year.
We need scientists to engage in the process now - to fight for appropriation law that doesn't just fund NIH but fights to protect science and democracy.
open.substack.com/pub/sciencea...
We need scientists to engage in the process now - to fight for appropriation law that doesn't just fund NIH but fights to protect science and democracy.
open.substack.com/pub/sciencea...
We will never get more than what we celebrate
Why allowing the Trump administration to reset our expectations will harm US science
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:51 PM
NIH-funded scientists, this is the explainer you need! It breaks down the FY26 budget and outlines the ominous threats to science funding. Of note: "Despite oft repeated claims that the bill allows “no more” multiyear funding, it is important to note that the “more” is relative to FY2025 levels."
I enjoyed participating in this @npr.org podcast segment by Andrew Stelzer on California Sober and the study led by @janemetrik.bsky.social at @browncaas.bsky.social, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry: psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
whyy.org/episodes/our...
whyy.org/episodes/our...
From Buzz to Burnout: How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body
We explore our relationship with alcohol — why we consume it, how it affects us, and when it’s time to quit.
whyy.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:55 PM
I enjoyed participating in this @npr.org podcast segment by Andrew Stelzer on California Sober and the study led by @janemetrik.bsky.social at @browncaas.bsky.social, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry: psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
whyy.org/episodes/our...
whyy.org/episodes/our...
Reposted by Chris Kahler
CAAS Associate Professor Hayley Treloar Padovano discusses Dry January (and beyond) with Women's Health.
How To Drink Less Without Completely Overhauling Your Social Life
Gearing up for Dry January? Read this.
www.womenshealthmag.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:29 PM
CAAS Associate Professor Hayley Treloar Padovano discusses Dry January (and beyond) with Women's Health.
Reposted by Chris Kahler
It is past time for Congress to ensure that federal immigration officers practice humane treatment of all people. Tell your members of Congress to speak up and hold ICE accountable. Send a message NOW: www.votervoice.net/PublicHealth...
January 27, 2026 at 10:48 PM
It is past time for Congress to ensure that federal immigration officers practice humane treatment of all people. Tell your members of Congress to speak up and hold ICE accountable. Send a message NOW: www.votervoice.net/PublicHealth...
Reposted by Chris Kahler
Professor @janemetrik.bsky.social spoke to the Today Show about trends in alcohol alternatives, including her new study that found #cannabis may reduce alcohol consumption.🍷
The Alcohol Alternative Industry Is Exploding. But Are These Products Really Safer? Experts Weigh in
From CBD to kratom to nootropics, the active ingredients at the center of this growing industry may lead to serious health consequences.
www.today.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Professor @janemetrik.bsky.social spoke to the Today Show about trends in alcohol alternatives, including her new study that found #cannabis may reduce alcohol consumption.🍷
Reposted by Chris Kahler
YES! A step in the right direction. After a horrendous year for science & the #NIH, it is imperative to protect it from political interference. NIH's success is due to decisions based on science, not political ideology.
Science does not belong to politicians.
🧪 degette.house.gov/media-center...
Science does not belong to politicians.
🧪 degette.house.gov/media-center...
DeGette Introduces Bill to Protect NIH From Political Interference
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield the National Institutes...
degette.house.gov
January 22, 2026 at 8:37 PM
YES! A step in the right direction. After a horrendous year for science & the #NIH, it is imperative to protect it from political interference. NIH's success is due to decisions based on science, not political ideology.
Science does not belong to politicians.
🧪 degette.house.gov/media-center...
Science does not belong to politicians.
🧪 degette.house.gov/media-center...
Reposted by Chris Kahler
The multi-year NIH funding of grants tagged to 2025 allows Russell Vought to reduce the number of grants funded this year because he insists that a 5 years of $$$ has to be committed. This is bad. We could see a cut in actual grants by 1/3 or more. Spread the word. www.statnews.com/2026/01/16/n...
Limit on multiyear funding of NIH grants is a sticking point in Senate budget talks
A clause limiting the use of multiyear NIH grant funding has become a sticking point as the Senate appropriations panel finalizes the HHS spending bill.
www.statnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:55 AM
The multi-year NIH funding of grants tagged to 2025 allows Russell Vought to reduce the number of grants funded this year because he insists that a 5 years of $$$ has to be committed. This is bad. We could see a cut in actual grants by 1/3 or more. Spread the word. www.statnews.com/2026/01/16/n...
Reposted by Chris Kahler
The Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) has released an official statement on the new US Dietary Guidelines.
Read the full statement here: researchsocietyonalcohol.org/statements/
#RSA
Read the full statement here: researchsocietyonalcohol.org/statements/
#RSA
January 20, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) has released an official statement on the new US Dietary Guidelines.
Read the full statement here: researchsocietyonalcohol.org/statements/
#RSA
Read the full statement here: researchsocietyonalcohol.org/statements/
#RSA
Reposted by Chris Kahler
“Overall I think this continues to be encouraging," Professor Brandon Marshall says of falling US #overdose deaths, "especially since we’re seeing declines almost across the nation.” Despite our progress, the monthly death toll is still above pre-COVID levels however.
US overdose deaths fell through most of 2025, federal data reveals
U.S. overdose deaths fell through the most of last year, suggesting a lasting improvement in an epidemic that had been worsening for decades.
apnews.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:15 PM
“Overall I think this continues to be encouraging," Professor Brandon Marshall says of falling US #overdose deaths, "especially since we’re seeing declines almost across the nation.” Despite our progress, the monthly death toll is still above pre-COVID levels however.
Wonderful to have @mamlung.bsky.social with us today at @browncaas.bsky.social. He shared not only his outstanding work on behavioral economics and addiction but also highlighted the important contributions of students and trainees at all levels. Thank you, Michael!
January 16, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Wonderful to have @mamlung.bsky.social with us today at @browncaas.bsky.social. He shared not only his outstanding work on behavioral economics and addiction but also highlighted the important contributions of students and trainees at all levels. Thank you, Michael!
This article provides some very useful language to help us communicate with Congress and the public about the harms of multi-year funding. "As you can see, what’s being done with NIH funding is pretty unprecedented. No other profession, industry or sector works that way." Truth.
January 16, 2026 at 5:21 PM
This article provides some very useful language to help us communicate with Congress and the public about the harms of multi-year funding. "As you can see, what’s being done with NIH funding is pretty unprecedented. No other profession, industry or sector works that way." Truth.
Reposted by Chris Kahler
It is hard to overstate the impact that the NIH multiyear funding debate happening in congress right now could have on biomedical research over the next few years.
A reminder as Congress finalizes NIH appropriations: the bill must limit multiyear funding (MYF), Vought's way of cutting the NIH budget without cutting the budget. MYF will devastate the research workforce.
@safa-science.bsky.social wrote this in July. Still relevant: substack.com/@scienceandf...
@safa-science.bsky.social wrote this in July. Still relevant: substack.com/@scienceandf...
A Quiet Policy Shift That Could Devastate American Science
Why NIH’s sudden move to multi-year grant funding should alarm every principal investigator and university
substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:46 PM
It is hard to overstate the impact that the NIH multiyear funding debate happening in congress right now could have on biomedical research over the next few years.
Reposted by Chris Kahler
The new year has brought new federal nutritional guidance.
To discuss the changes, nutrition expert Professor Jen Sacheck joined @wpri12.bsky.social.⤵️
To discuss the changes, nutrition expert Professor Jen Sacheck joined @wpri12.bsky.social.⤵️
Community Focus: Dr. Jen Sacheck breaks down changes to gederal nutrition guidelines
Brown University's Behavioral and Social Sciences chair Dr. Jen Sacheckjoined 12 News at 4 Wednesday to break down the changes to federal nutritional guidelines.
www.wpri.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The new year has brought new federal nutritional guidance.
To discuss the changes, nutrition expert Professor Jen Sacheck joined @wpri12.bsky.social.⤵️
To discuss the changes, nutrition expert Professor Jen Sacheck joined @wpri12.bsky.social.⤵️
Yes, keep advocating. This case has a strong chance of making it into my research methods course segment on research protections. If you see something unethical, call it out! As scientists, we are obligated to do so.
January 15, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Yes, keep advocating. This case has a strong chance of making it into my research methods course segment on research protections. If you see something unethical, call it out! As scientists, we are obligated to do so.
If you called or wrote your representatives yesterday about the disastrous SAMHSA grant cancellations, thank you. You did good. That pressure worked, and the reinstatement will save lives and improve population health. Recognize a win when you get one and keep it up.
G'morn☀️
It’s easy to lose hope when every day brings fresh outrage (omg it's exhausting)
But this matters: the White House reversed a $2 BILLION cut to mental health & addiction grants after just 1 day.
That didn’t happen by accident—it happened cuz ppl spoke up.
Keep speaking up. It matters.
It’s easy to lose hope when every day brings fresh outrage (omg it's exhausting)
But this matters: the White House reversed a $2 BILLION cut to mental health & addiction grants after just 1 day.
That didn’t happen by accident—it happened cuz ppl spoke up.
Keep speaking up. It matters.
Well, this is awkward... guess someone changed their mind about cutting funding: rollcall.com/2026/01/14/h...
Good news to end the night! Sleep tight 💚
Good news to end the night! Sleep tight 💚
January 15, 2026 at 2:06 PM
If you called or wrote your representatives yesterday about the disastrous SAMHSA grant cancellations, thank you. You did good. That pressure worked, and the reinstatement will save lives and improve population health. Recognize a win when you get one and keep it up.
Reposted by Chris Kahler
Pay attention! Especially those in Alabama! Contact your rep per the thread below. And Vought sucks (trying to keep things PG)
The appropriations bill that includes NIH is being finalized.
The Senate bill includes a bipartisan amendment from Senators Capito (WV) and Baldwin (WI) limiting multi-year funding of grants.
The House version does not and OMB has issued a veto threat if the House includes such language.
1/3
The Senate bill includes a bipartisan amendment from Senators Capito (WV) and Baldwin (WI) limiting multi-year funding of grants.
The House version does not and OMB has issued a veto threat if the House includes such language.
1/3
a close up of a brown surface with a few spots
ALT: a close up of a brown surface with a few spots
media.tenor.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Pay attention! Especially those in Alabama! Contact your rep per the thread below. And Vought sucks (trying to keep things PG)
Reposted by Chris Kahler
URGENT! Call your Senators and Representatives. #Trump and #RFKJr just slashed two billion dollars in funding for addiction and mental health services. Thanks to @5calls.org and @defendpublichealth.bsky.social for taking the lead on this. 5calls.org/issue/samhsa...
Demand Restoration of Essential Addiction and Mental Health Funding ⭑ 5 Calls
Around midnight on January 13, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sent grant terminations for as many as 2,800 …
5calls.org
January 14, 2026 at 11:18 PM
URGENT! Call your Senators and Representatives. #Trump and #RFKJr just slashed two billion dollars in funding for addiction and mental health services. Thanks to @5calls.org and @defendpublichealth.bsky.social for taking the lead on this. 5calls.org/issue/samhsa...
Reposted by Chris Kahler
Last night, billions of dollars in SAMHSA grants were abruptly canceled, erasing critical support for many orgs providing substance use & addiction services. AMERSA shares your concerns and is working with partner organizations to respond.
Join us in taking action.
📞 Call Congress: 202-224-3121
Join us in taking action.
📞 Call Congress: 202-224-3121
January 14, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Last night, billions of dollars in SAMHSA grants were abruptly canceled, erasing critical support for many orgs providing substance use & addiction services. AMERSA shares your concerns and is working with partner organizations to respond.
Join us in taking action.
📞 Call Congress: 202-224-3121
Join us in taking action.
📞 Call Congress: 202-224-3121
Reposted by Chris Kahler
No, President Trump. Illegally canceling $2 billion in funding to deal with the mental health, addiction and opioid crises will not Make America Healthy Again.
It will lead to more illnesses, more overdoses and more deaths.
This blatantly unconstitutional act must be rescinded.
It will lead to more illnesses, more overdoses and more deaths.
This blatantly unconstitutional act must be rescinded.
January 14, 2026 at 9:06 PM
No, President Trump. Illegally canceling $2 billion in funding to deal with the mental health, addiction and opioid crises will not Make America Healthy Again.
It will lead to more illnesses, more overdoses and more deaths.
This blatantly unconstitutional act must be rescinded.
It will lead to more illnesses, more overdoses and more deaths.
This blatantly unconstitutional act must be rescinded.
Unconscionable.
The Trump administration is slashing nearly $2 billion in existing grants for mental health, addiction treatment, HIV/hep C prevention, and more, the latest in a yearlong degradation of SAMHSA
Trump administration cuts up to $1.9 billion from mental health and addiction treatment programs
SAMHSA canceled up to $1.9 billion in grants without staff consultation, accelerating the mental health agency's deterioration under President Trump.
www.statnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Unconscionable.
Reposted by Chris Kahler
We are collecting information on terminated SAMHSA grants at Grant Witness: grant-witness.us/submit-samhs...
If you worked on one of these programs, please let us know at the link! And please share with your colleagues. We need a comprehensive record of these terminations to fight back!
If you worked on one of these programs, please let us know at the link! And please share with your colleagues. We need a comprehensive record of these terminations to fight back!
Last night with no warning, RFK Jr. cancelled up to $2 billion in funding for mental health and substance abuse research and programs administered through SAMHSA.
He and his minions did so because “they no longer believe the defunded programs align with the Trump administration's priorities”.
He and his minions did so because “they no longer believe the defunded programs align with the Trump administration's priorities”.
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
www.npr.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:43 PM
We are collecting information on terminated SAMHSA grants at Grant Witness: grant-witness.us/submit-samhs...
If you worked on one of these programs, please let us know at the link! And please share with your colleagues. We need a comprehensive record of these terminations to fight back!
If you worked on one of these programs, please let us know at the link! And please share with your colleagues. We need a comprehensive record of these terminations to fight back!
Reposted by Chris Kahler
Shameful and cruel.
Trump is breaking his pledge to MAHA, cutting addiction care, and pulling the plug on programs that improve Americans' mental health to prevent suicide.
Illinois is fighting for the support our people deserve — we'll be here for you.
Trump is breaking his pledge to MAHA, cutting addiction care, and pulling the plug on programs that improve Americans' mental health to prevent suicide.
Illinois is fighting for the support our people deserve — we'll be here for you.
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services. The cuts could total as much as $2 billion.
www.npr.org
January 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Shameful and cruel.
Trump is breaking his pledge to MAHA, cutting addiction care, and pulling the plug on programs that improve Americans' mental health to prevent suicide.
Illinois is fighting for the support our people deserve — we'll be here for you.
Trump is breaking his pledge to MAHA, cutting addiction care, and pulling the plug on programs that improve Americans' mental health to prevent suicide.
Illinois is fighting for the support our people deserve — we'll be here for you.
This is unacceptable. As noted, "the safety net for people experiencing an addiction or mental health crisis could unravel." Congress has to exert its oversight responsibilities to save the lives of their constituents. What representative can tell their constituents that these terminations are good?
Just in: The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
n.pr
January 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
This is unacceptable. As noted, "the safety net for people experiencing an addiction or mental health crisis could unravel." Congress has to exert its oversight responsibilities to save the lives of their constituents. What representative can tell their constituents that these terminations are good?
Reposted by Chris Kahler
There are several factors, from muscle loss to medication, impacting how our bodies handle alcohol as we age.
The @nytimes.com spoke to @browncaas.bsky.social Professor Mollie Monnig about why hangovers get worse when we get older.🍷
The @nytimes.com spoke to @browncaas.bsky.social Professor Mollie Monnig about why hangovers get worse when we get older.🍷
Why Is My Alcohol Tolerance Declining With Age?
Worse hangovers, more headaches -- you're not just imagining it. An aging body handles alcohol differently.
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:10 PM
There are several factors, from muscle loss to medication, impacting how our bodies handle alcohol as we age.
The @nytimes.com spoke to @browncaas.bsky.social Professor Mollie Monnig about why hangovers get worse when we get older.🍷
The @nytimes.com spoke to @browncaas.bsky.social Professor Mollie Monnig about why hangovers get worse when we get older.🍷