Dr. Ismene Petrakis

Biography

Ismene Petrakis is a Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and serves as the Director of the Mental Health Service Line at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. After completing her residency at Yale School of Medicine, she pursued a NIDA-funded addiction psychiatry clinical/research fellowship. Joining the faculty in 1992, she previously directed the Substance Abuse Treatment Program at VACHS from 1996 until July 2010. Her research interests predominantly lie in finding appropriate treatments for individuals with dual diagnoses and understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying alcohol dependence. Dr. Petrakis has led various studies exploring the efficacy of pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence, especially in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. She has received substantial funding from the Department of Defense, NIH-NIAAA, and other institutions for her research, which includes examining the neurobiological aspects of craving and addiction. Her work has contributed significantly to identifying effective treatment strategies and improving outcomes for veterans and other at-risk populations.

Research Interests