PSYCHIATRIST
General & Addiction
Derek Blevins, MD
Research
My primary research interest is the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of substance use disorders and comorbid conditions. rTMS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation that is currently FDA cleared for use in treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and smoking cessation.
I have also been involved in pharmacologic clinical trials for substance use disorders, and have conducted secondary data analyses examining characteristics that improve response rates to medications for the treatment of cocaine use disorder.
Lastly, I am involved with the NIDA HEALing Communities Study as a technical assistant and implementation coach, providing consultation to suburban and rural communities in New York State with the aim of improving the delivery of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and thereby reducing opioid overdose deaths.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Silwal A, Talbert J, Bohler RM, Kelsch J, Cook C, Blevins D, Gallivan M, Hunt T, Hatcher S M, Thomas CP, Williams S, Fanucchi L, Lofwall MR. (2023). State alignment with federal regulations in 2022 to relax buprenorphine 30-patient waiver requirements. Drug Alcohol Depend Rep. 2023 May.
Sung ML, Black AC, Blevins D, Henry BF, Cates-Wessel K, Dawes MA, Drexler K, Hagle H, Molfenter T, Levin FR, Becker WC, Edelman EJ. Adaptations to Opioid Use Disorder Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey of Prescribers. J Addict Med. 2022 Sep-Oct.
Blevins D, Seneviratne C, Wang XQ, Johnson BA, Ait-Daoud N. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ondansetron for the treatment of cocaine use disorder with post hoc pharmacogenetic analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2021 September.
Blevins D, Henry BF, Sung M, Edelman EJ, Black AC, Dawes M, Molfenter T, Hagle H, Drexler K, Cates-Wessel K, Levin FR. Well-Being of Health Care Professionals Treating Opioid Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a National Survey. Psychiatric Services. 2021 August. Pubmed.
Blevins D, Carpenter KM, Martinez D, Mariani JJ, Levin FR. An adaptive clinical trial design for cocaine use disorder: Extended-release amphetamine salts for early behavioral intervention non-responders. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2020 November. Pubmed.
Blevins D, Choi CJ, Pavlicova M, Martinez D, Mariani JJ, Grabowski J, Levin FR. Impulsiveness as a moderator of amphetamine treatment response for cocaine use disorder among ADHD patients. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2020 May. Pubmed.
Blevins D, Martinez D. Role for kappa-opioid system in stress-induced cocaine use uncovered with PET. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020 January. Pubmed.
Ait-Daoud N, Blevins D, Khanna S, Sharma S, Holstege CP, Amin P. Women and Addiction: An Update. Medical Clinics of North America. 2019 July. Pubmed.
Blevins D, Wang XQ, Sharma S, Ait-Daoud N. Impulsiveness as a predictor of topiramate response for cocaine use disorder. American Journal on Addictions. 2019 February. Pubmed.
Ait-Daoud N, Hamby AS, Sharma S, Blevins D. A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal. Journal of Addiction Medicine. 2018 January/February. Pubmed.
Ait-Daoud N, Blevins D, Khanna S, Sharma S, Holstege CP. Women and Addiction. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2017 Jun.
Blevins D, Khanna S. Clinical implications of substance abuse in young adults. Psychiatric Times. 2016 January.
Khanna S, Rosen J, Blevins D, Herrington P. Psychosis and catatonia after dancing with a dangerous partner. Current Psychiatry. 2015 November.
Book Chapters
Ait-Daoud N, Blevins D, Malcom R. “Alcohol Withdrawal: Treatment & Application” In Bankole A. Johnson (ed.), Addiction Medicine: Science & Practice. Part VIII, Second Edition. Elsevier, 2019.
Johnson BA, Marzani G, Blevins D, Khanna S. “Alcohol: Clinical Aspects.” In Bankole A. Johnson (ed.), Addiction Medicine: Science & Practice. Part IV, Second Edition. Elsevier, 2019.