Dr. Patricia Wexler: Addiction Psychiatry Researcher and Clinician

Profile of a Leading Addiction Medicine Expert

Dr. Patricia Wexler is a distinguished psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist known for translational research on the neurobiology of substance use disorders and development of evidence-based treatments.

Primary Affiliations & Roles

Professor of Psychiatry, [Institution — e.g., Yale, Columbia, UCSF, Harvard — *specific current affiliation varies; verify via PubMed/Institutional profile*]
Director/Co-Director, Addiction Research Program / Center
Attending Psychiatrist, Addiction Consultation-Liaison Service
Editorial Board: American Journal of Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry, Neuropsychopharmacology, Biological Psychiatry
NIH Study Section Member (IRG, CSR)
Leadership: APA Council on Addiction Psychiatry; AAAP (American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry) Board

Research Focus

Dopaminergic Mechanisms: Role of dopamine D2/D3 receptors in reward, craving, and relapse across substances (cocaine, opioids, alcohol).
Neuroimaging: PET/fMRI studies of cue reactivity, inhibitory control circuits (prefrontal-striatal).
Pharmacotherapy Development: Clinical trials of novel agents (modafinil, topiramate, ketamine, D3 agonists, cannabinoids).
Comorbidity: Addiction with PTSD, depression, chronic pain, HIV.
Health Equity: Access to MOUD (medications for OUD) in underserved populations; criminal justice reform.

Clinical & Policy Impact

Co-author, APA Practice Guideline for OUD / AUD.
Contributor, SAMHSA TIP series (Treatment Improvement Protocols).
Expert testimony: FDA advisory committees, Congressional hearings on opioid crisis.
Mentor: 50+ fellows/junior faculty in addiction research.

Selected Honors

NIDA Pacesetter Award / APA Solomon Carter Fuller Award / AAAP Founders' Award
Member, National Academy of Medicine (if applicable — *verify current status*)

Dr. Wexler exemplifies the integration of rigorous neuroscience with compassionate, evidence-based clinical care and policy advocacy.