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Profile

Karen Drexler MD

  • Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
    Associate Professor
  • kdrexle@emory.edu
  • Emory Healthcare
    Emory Healthcare Veterans Program
    12 Executive Park Dr., NE
Head shot of Karen Drexler

Academic Appointment

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Degrees

  • MD from Duke University School of Medicine
  • BS from Georgia Institute of Technology

Research

Focus

  • Understanding the neural correlates of emotions, impulsivity, and psychoactive substance craving in addictive disorders. Testing novel medications and treatments for substance use disorders. Education in treatment of addiction. Health service delivery for treatment of addictions.

Publications

  • Care Models to Improve Pain and Reduce Opioids Among Patients Prescribed Long-Term Opioid Therapy: The VOICE Randomized Clinical Trial.
    JAMA Intern Med Volume: 185 Page(s): 208 - 220
    02/01/2025 Authors: Krebs EE; Becker WC; Nelson DB; DeRonne BM; Jensen AC; Kats AM; Morasco BJ; Frank JW; Makris UE; Allen KD
  • Addressing Confusion and Inconsistencies Surrounding the Provider Role in Medical Cannabis Programs.
    J Addict Med Volume: 18 Page(s): 611 - 613
    11/01/2024 Authors: Tang Y-L; McCord E; Earley PH; Drexler K
  • A Source Control Model for Treatment-Resistant Substance Use Disorder.
    J Addict Med Volume: 18 Page(s): 483 - 485
    09/01/2024 Authors: Dernbach MR; Drexler K; McCord E; Carpenter JE
  • Treatment Journey and Healthcare Resource Use Among Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder Who Initiated Extended-Release Naltrexone: An Analysis of Veterans Affairs Data.
    Subst Use Volume: 18 Page(s): 29768357241280713
    01/01/2024 Authors: Grebla R; Liu J; O'Sullivan AK; Shi S; Swallow E; Lax A; Sullivan MA; Liu S; Shi L; Witkiewitz K
  • Substance Use after Completion of an Intensive Treatment Program with Concurrent Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use among Veterans: Examining the Role of PTSD Symptoms.
    J Dual Diagn Volume: 20 Page(s): 16 - 28
    01/01/2024 Authors: Watkins LE; Patton SC; Wilcox T; Drexler K; Rauch SAM; Rothbaum BO
  • In the balance: No new diagnosis needed in addition to opioid use disorder to study harms associated with long-term opioid therapy.
    Addiction Volume: 119 Page(s): 6 - 8
    01/01/2024 Authors: Drexler K; Edens EL; Trafton JA; Compton WM
  • Medication treatment for alcohol use disorder in special populations.
    Am J Addict Volume: 32 Page(s): 433 - 441
    09/01/2023 Authors: Malhotra A; Drexler K; Hsu M; Tang Y-L
  • Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the General Hospital.
    Am J Psychiatry Volume: 180 Page(s): 594 - 596
    08/01/2023 Authors: Funk MC; Nash S; Smith A; Barth K; Suzuki J; Rustad JK; Buonocore S; Khandai AC; Smith MA; Jin S
  • Adaptations to Opioid Use Disorder Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey of Prescribers.
    J Addict Med Volume: 16 Page(s): 505 - 513
    09/01/2022 Authors: Sung ML; Black AC; Blevins D; Henry BF; Cates-Wessel K; Dawes MA; Drexler K; Hagle H; Molfenter T; Levin FR
  • Treatment Patterns and Healthcare Resource Use among Patients Initiating Medication for Incident Alcohol Dependence: An Analysis of Veterans Health Administration Data
    Volume: 31 Page(s): 356 - 356
    07/01/2022 Authors: Kauf T; Liu J; O'Sullivan AK; Swallow E; Lax A; Zichlin ML; Cook E; Shi S; Sullivan MA; Liu S
  • Well-Being of Health Care Professionals Treating Opioid Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a National Survey.
    Psychiatr Serv Volume: 73 Page(s): 374 - 380
    04/01/2022 Authors: Blevins D; Henry BF; Sung M; Edelman EJ; Black AC; Dawes M; Molfenter T; Hagle H; Drexler K; Cates-Wessel K
  • Opioid use disorder Cascade of care framework design: A roadmap.
    Subst Abus Volume: 43 Page(s): 1207 - 1214
    01/01/2022 Authors: Williams AR; Johnson KA; Thomas CP; Reif S; Socas ME; Henry BF; Neighbors C; Gordon AJ; Horgan C; Nosyk B
  • Accessibility to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder After Interventions to Improve Prescribing Among Nonaddiction Clinics in the US Veterans Health Care System.
    JAMA Netw Open Volume: 4 Page(s): e2137238
    12/01/2021 Authors: Hawkins EJ; Malte CA; Gordon AJ; Williams EC; Hagedorn HJ; Drexler K; Blanchard BE; Burden JL; Knoeppel J; Danner AN
  • Development and field testing of primary care screening tools for harms of long-term opioid therapy continuation and tapering to discontinuation: a study protocol.
    BMJ Open Volume: 11 Page(s): e053524
    10/07/2021 Authors: Timko C; Kroenke K; Nevedal A; Lor MC; Oliva E; Drexler K; Sandbrink F; Hoggatt K
  • Clinical leaders and providers' perspectives on delivering medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder in Veteran Affairs' facilities.
    Addict Sci Clin Pract Volume: 16 Page(s): 55
    09/06/2021 Authors: Hawkins EJ; Danner AN; Malte CA; Blanchard BE; Williams EC; Hagedorn HJ; Gordon AJ; Drexler K; Burden JL; Knoeppel J
  • Implementation and Policy Recommendations from the VHA State-of-the-Art Conference on Strategies to Improve Opioid Safety.
    J Gen Intern Med Volume: 35 Page(s): 983 - 987
    12/01/2020 Authors: Frank JW; Bohnert ASB; Sandbrink F; McGuire M; Drexler K
  • Brief Report: Opioid-Involved Overdose Mortality in United States Veterans.
    Am J Addict Volume: 29 Page(s): 340 - 344
    07/01/2020 Authors: Peltzman T; Ravindran C; Schoen PM; Morley SW; Drexler K; Katz IR; McCarthy JF
  • Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer (SCOUTT) initiative: Expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder within Veterans Health Administration facilities.
    Subst Abus Volume: 41 Page(s): 275 - 282
    01/01/2020 Authors: Gordon AJ; Drexler K; Hawkins EJ; Burden J; Codell NK; Mhatre-Owens A; Dungan MT; Hagedorn H
  • Identifying women veterans with unhealthy alcohol use using gender-tailored screening.
    Am J Addict Volume: 27 Page(s): 97 - 100
    03/01/2018 Authors: Hoggatt KJ; Simpson T; Schweizer CA; Drexler K; Yano EM
  • Medications for opioid use disorder in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system: Historical perspective, lessons learned, and next steps.
    Subst Abus Volume: 39 Page(s): 139 - 144
    01/01/2018 Authors: Wyse JJ; Gordon AJ; Dobscha SK; Morasco BJ; Tiffany E; Drexler K; Sandbrink F; Lovejoy TI
  • Effect of heroin use on changes of brain functions as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging, a systematic review.
    J Addict Dis Volume: 36 Page(s): 105 - 116
    01/01/2017 Authors: Fareed A; Kim J; Ketchen B; Kwak WJ; Wang D; Shongo-Hiango H; Drexler K
  • Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adults: Neglected and Treatable Illnesses.
    Curr Psychiatry Rep Volume: 18 Page(s): 87
    09/01/2016 Authors: Le Roux C; Tang Y; Drexler K
  • Buprenorphine+naloxone plus naltrexone for the treatment of cocaine dependence: the Cocaine Use Reduction with Buprenorphine (CURB) study.
    Addiction Volume: 111 Page(s): 1416 - 1427
    08/01/2016 Authors: Ling W; Hillhouse MP; Saxon AJ; Mooney LJ; Thomas CM; Ang A; Matthews AG; Hasson A; Annon J; Sparenborg S
  • Reversal of overdose on fentanyl being illicitly sold as heroin with naloxone nasal spray: A case report.
    Am J Addict Volume: 24 Page(s): 388 - 390
    08/01/2015 Authors: Fareed A; Buchanan-Cummings AM; Crampton K; Grant A; Drexler K
  • Clinical correlates of attentional bias to drug cues associated with cocaine dependence.
    Am J Addict Volume: 23 Page(s): 478 - 484
    01/01/2014 Authors: Kennedy AP; Gross RE; Ely T; Drexler KPG; Kilts CD
  • Factors affecting noncompliance with buprenorphine maintenance treatment.
    J Addict Med Volume: 8 Page(s): 345 - 350
    01/01/2014 Authors: Fareed A; Eilender P; Ketchen B; Buchanan-Cummings AM; Scheinberg K; Crampton K; Nash A; Shongo-Hiango H; Drexler K
  • QTc interval prolongation for patients in methadone maintenance treatment: a five years follow-up study.
    Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse Volume: 39 Page(s): 235 - 240
    07/01/2013 Authors: Fareed A; Vayalapalli S; Scheinberg K; Gale R; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and opiate addiction: a literature review.
    J Addict Dis Volume: 32 Page(s): 168 - 179
    01/01/2013 Authors: Fareed A; Eilender P; Haber M; Bremner J; Whitfield N; Drexler K
  • Predictors of substance abuse treatment outcome in hospitalized veterans.
    Am J Addict Volume: 22 Page(s): 358 - 365
    01/01/2013 Authors: Vayalapalli S; Fareed A; Byrd-Sellers J; Stout S; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • Predictors of diabetes mellitus and abnormal blood glucose in patients receiving opioid maintenance treatment.
    Am J Addict Volume: 22 Page(s): 411 - 416
    01/01/2013 Authors: Fareed A; Byrd-Sellers J; Vayalapalli S; Drexler K; Phillips L
  • Comparison of QTc interval prolongation for patients in methadone versus buprenorphine maintenance treatment: a 5-year follow-up.
    J Addict Dis Volume: 32 Page(s): 244 - 251
    01/01/2013 Authors: Fareed A; Patil D; Scheinberg K; Blackinton Gale R; Vayalapalli S; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • A controlled trial of the adjunct use of D-cycloserine to facilitate cognitive behavioral therapy outcomes in a cocaine-dependent population.
    Addict Behav Volume: 37 Page(s): 900 - 907
    08/01/2012 Authors: Kennedy AP; Gross RE; Whitfield N; Drexler KPG; Kilts CD
  • Predictors of Substance Abuse Treatment Outcome in Hospitalized Veterans with Substance Use Disorders: A Retrospective Chart Review
    AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS Volume: 21 Page(s): 387 - 387
    07/01/2012 Authors: Vayalapalli S; Fareed A; Byrd-Sellers J; Stout S; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • Treatment outcome for flexible dosing buprenorphine maintenance treatment.
    Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse Volume: 38 Page(s): 155 - 160
    03/01/2012 Authors: Fareed A; Vayalapalli S; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • Effect of buprenorphine dose on treatment outcome.
    J Addict Dis Volume: 31 Page(s): 8 - 18
    01/01/2012 Authors: Fareed A; Vayalapalli S; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • Predictors of Good Treatment Outcome for Patients Seeking Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment
    AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS Volume: 20 Page(s): 383 - 384
    07/01/2011 Authors: Fareed A; Vayalapalli S; Byrd-Sellers J; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • Illicit opioid intoxication: diagnosis and treatment.
    Subst Abuse Volume: 5 Page(s): 17 - 25
    01/01/2011 Authors: Fareed A; Stout S; Casarella J; Vayalapalli S; Cox J; Drexler K
  • Effect of methadone maintenance treatment on heroin craving, a literature review.
    J Addict Dis Volume: 30 Page(s): 27 - 38
    01/01/2011 Authors: Fareed A; Vayalapalli S; Stout S; Casarella J; Drexler K; Bailey SP
  • Housing as a motivation for seeking substance abuse treatment.
    Am J Addict Volume: 20 Page(s): 182 - 183
    01/01/2011 Authors: Vayalapalli S; Fareed A; Casarella J; Drexler K
  • High-dose citalopram for cocaine dependence in veteran population-a pilot project.
    Am J Addict Volume: 20 Page(s): 485 - 486
    01/01/2011 Authors: Vayalapalli S; Vaughn M; Salles-Shahid K; Byrd-Sellers J; Drexler K
  • Heroin anticraving medications: a systematic review.
    Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse Volume: 36 Page(s): 332 - 341
    11/01/2010 Authors: Fareed A; Vayalapalli S; Casarella J; Amar R; Drexler K
  • On-site Basic Health Screening and Brief Health Counseling of Chronic Medical Conditions for Veterans in Methadone Maintenance Treatment.
    J Addict Med Volume: 4 Page(s): 160 - 166
    09/01/2010 Authors: Fareed A; Musselman D; Byrd-Sellers J; Vayalapalli S; Casarella J; Drexler K; Phillips L
  • On-Site Basic Health Screening and Brief Health Counseling of Chronic Medical Conditions for Veterans in Methadone Maintenance Treatment
    AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS Volume: 19 Page(s): 374 - 374
    07/01/2010 Authors: Fareed A; Musselman D; Byrd-Sellers J; Barnet G; Vayalapalli S; Casarella J; Drexler K; Phillips L
  • Methadone maintenance dosing guideline for opioid dependence, a literature review.
    J Addict Dis Volume: 29 Page(s): 1 - 14
    01/01/2010 Authors: Fareed A; Casarella J; Amar R; Vayalapalli S; Drexler K
  • Onsite QTc interval screening for patients in methadone maintenance treatment.
    J Addict Dis Volume: 29 Page(s): 15 - 22
    01/01/2010 Authors: Fareed A; Vayalapalli S; Byrd-Sellers J; Casarella J; Drexler K; Amar R; Smith-Cox J; Lutchman TS
  • High dose versus moderate dose methadone maintenance: is there a better outcome?
    J Addict Dis Volume: 28 Page(s): 399 - 405
    10/01/2009 Authors: Fareed A; Casarella J; Roberts M; Sleboda M; Amar R; Vayalapalli S; Drexler K
  • Dose-dependent cognitive impairment in an elder methadone-maintained patient.
    J Addict Med Volume: 3 Page(s): 109 - 110
    06/01/2009 Authors: Fareed A; Casarella J; Amar R; Drexler K
  • Benefits of retention in methadone maintenance and chronic medical conditions as risk factors for premature death among older heroin addicts.
    J Psychiatr Pract Volume: 15 Page(s): 227 - 234
    05/01/2009 Authors: Fareed A; Casarella J; Amar R; Vayalapalli S; Drexler K
  • Is there a better way to match patients to opioid maintenance treatment: a case report.
    Am J Addict Volume: 18 Page(s): 180 - 181
    01/01/2009 Authors: Fareed A; Casarella J; Amar R; Drexler K
  • Premature Death in Older Opiate Addicts in Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Medical Co-morbidities as Risk Factors
    AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS Volume: 18 Page(s): 322 - 323
    01/01/2009 Authors: Fareed A; Casarella J; Amar R; Vayalapalli S; Drexler K
  • Seeking Safety Therapy for Veterans: A Preliminary Analysis of Outcome Data
    AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS Volume: 18 Page(s): 321 - 322
    01/01/2009 Authors: Amar RP; Johnson NA; Casarella JL; Fareed AM; Drexler KP
  • Naltrexone is associated with reduced drinking by alcohol dependent patients receiving antidepressants for mood and anxiety symptoms: results from VA Cooperative Study No. 425, "Naltrexone in the treatment of alcoholism".
    Alcohol Clin Exp Res Volume: 32 Page(s): 85 - 91
    01/01/2008 Authors: Krystal JH; Gueorguieva R; Cramer J; Collins J; Rosenheck R; VA CSP No. 425 Study Team
  • Alcohol abuse and acute lung injury: can we target therapy?
    Expert Rev Respir Med Volume: 1 Page(s): 197 - 207
    10/01/2007 Authors: Prout M; Martin GS; Drexler K; Brown LAS; Guidot DM
  • Opioid receptor gene (OPRM1, OPRK1, and OPRD1) variants and response to naltrexone treatment for alcohol dependence: results from the VA Cooperative Study.
    Alcohol Clin Exp Res Volume: 31 Page(s): 555 - 563
    04/01/2007 Authors: Gelernter J; Gueorguieva R; Kranzler HR; Zhang H; Cramer J; Rosenheck R; Krystal JH; VA Cooperative Study #425 Study Group
  • An fMRI study of the interaction of stress and cocaine cues on cocaine craving in cocaine-dependent men.
    Am J Addict Volume: 16 Page(s): 174 - 182
    01/01/2007 Authors: Duncan E; Boshoven W; Harenski K; Fiallos A; Tracy H; Jovanovic T; Hu X; Drexler K; Kilts C
  • The neural correlates of cue-induced craving in cocaine-dependent women.
    Am J Psychiatry Volume: 161 Page(s): 233 - 241
    02/01/2004 Authors: Kilts CD; Gross RE; Ely TD; Drexler KPG
  • Neural activity related to drug craving in cocaine addiction.
    Arch Gen Psychiatry Volume: 58 Page(s): 334 - 341
    04/01/2001 Authors: Kilts CD; Schweitzer JB; Quinn CK; Gross RE; Faber TL; Muhammad F; Ely TD; Hoffman JM; Drexler KP
  • Neural activity related to anger in cocaine-dependent men: a possible link to violence and relapse.
    Am J Addict Volume: 9 Page(s): 331 - 339
    01/01/2000 Authors: Drexler K; Schweitzer JB; Quinn CK; Gross R; Ely TD; Muhammad F; Kilts CD
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