Infectious Disease and Substance Use Disorder

Addiction science research has traditionally focused on the direct effects of drugs on the brain, yet growing evidence shows that brain–gut–microbiome interactions play a role in many devastating substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and stimulant use disorder. At the same time, infectious diseases, such as HIV, disproportionately affect people who use drugs, and emerging evidence suggests that the microbiome may shape both vulnerability to infection and disease progression.

This research program examines how shifts in the microbiome contribute to both addiction and infectious disease outcomes by fueling inflammation that may alter neural signaling, immune function, and metabolic regulation. By better understanding these mechanisms, the program aims to identify microbial and inflammatory signatures that predict risk for substance use dependence, relapse, and infectious complications, while also testing microbiome- and inflammation-targeted interventions to reduce these risks.

Program Lead