Joseph W. Ditre

Professor, Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences Link

Faculty Affiliate, Aging Studies Institute
Faculty Affiliate, Center for Aging and Policy Studies

CAPS Biography:

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University, Director of the Pain and Addiction Research (PAR) Lab at Syracuse University, and a licensed clinical psychologist in New York State. My program of research cuts across basic and applied work in the areas of health psychology and behavioral medicine, with an emphasis on the intersection of addictive behaviors and comorbid medical disorders. At the broadest level, this work examines how the use of substances may influence the onset and progression of comorbid medical disorders, and how the symptoms and sequelae of medical disorders may influence the use of addictive substances. More specifically, I have established a programmatic line of translational research that examines complex interrelations and transdiagnostic mechanisms in the co-occurrence of pain and substance use disorders, with an emphasis on using this data to inform the development of novel treatments. We recently completed a NIDA-funded study (R21DA038204; PI: Ditre) focused on the development of a computer-based personalized feedback intervention (PFI) for older adults with comorbid HIV and chronic pain aimed at increasing intentions to quit smoking and decreasing intentions to misuse prescription analgesic medications. This and other research conducted in my lab and with external collaborators is highly commensurate with the CAPS signature theme of health and well-being, and the cross-cutting theme of specific populations. Indeed, my research has examined substance use, pain, and related factors across the life course, including visual perception among three-month-old infants, tobacco cigarette smoking among adolescents, opioid abuse and pain experience among young adults, and nicotine addiction and opioid misuse among older adults with comorbid medical disorders. My work in special populations includes individuals with chronic pain, individuals with cancer, persons living with HIV/AIDS, economically disadvantaged Latinos in a Federally Qualified Health Center, Latinx Spanish-speaking adult smokers, and African American adults seeking treatment for smoking cessation.

Degree(s):

Ph.D., University of South Florida, Clinical Psychology