Julio Nunes, MD
Psychiatry ResidentDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Contact Info
Psychiatry
300 George St #901
New Haven, CT 06511
United States
Honors
- 6 National Awards
- 1 Yale School of Medicine Award
- 1 Other Award
About
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A common misconception is that buprenorphine and methadone just replace one addiction with another. The problem is the old goal of abstinence from all substances. If instead the goal is well-being, reconnecting with family, working, parenting, avoiding arrest, then what matters are outcomes. And the outcomes are clear: these medications should be offered to every patient who needs them.
Julio Nunes, from interview with Health Journalist Emma Yasinski ("The Road Back")
Titles
Psychiatry Resident
Biography
Julio C. Nunes, MD is a research-track Psychiatry Resident at Yale University and Chief Resident of Outpatient and Addiction Services at the West Haven VA. His work focuses on addiction, chronic pain, and health disparities, with an emphasis on translating research into patient-centered policy, advocacy, and practice. He is a Laughlin Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists and a Leadership Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
As a member of Yale’s Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Laboratory and a former research fellow at the Stanford Center for Clinical Research, Dr. Nunes has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, chapters, and commentaries. His scholarship has been recognized by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry.
Nunes also serves on the board of Doctors for Drug Policy Reform and recently partnered with U.S. Senator Edward Markey’s office on the dissemination of the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, legislation aimed at expanding access to methadone through community pharmacies.
Education is another core commitment. Dr. Nunes is a recurrent lecturer at the Yale School of Medicine, has led national workshops on addiction and chronic pain, and received Yale Psychiatry’s Resident Teaching Award as a PGY-1.
Originally from Brazil and Mexico, he brings a global perspective to questions of access and equity in mental health and addiction treatment. Across his clinical work, research, teaching, and advocacy, his goal is to make addiction care more equitable, compassionate, and accessible.
Last Updated on August 20, 2025.
Departments & Organizations
- Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Lab
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Stanford University, Center for Clinical Research (2022)
- ECFMG Certification
- Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (2021)
- MD
- Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, School of Medicine and Surgery (2020)
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Featured
honor Laughlin Fellowship
08/20/2025National AwardAmerican College of Psychiatrists (ACP)DetailsUnited Stateshonor Leadership Fellowship
05/07/2024National AwardAmerican Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF)DetailsUnited Stateshonor Don Quixote Award - Critical Research Issues in Latinx Mental Health
03/13/2025National AwardAmerican Society of Hispanic Psychiatry (ASHP)DetailsUnited Stateshonor Resident Teaching Award
06/15/2023Yale School of Medicine AwardYale School of Medicine - Department of PsychiatryDetailsUnited States
Activities
activity American Psychiatric Association
05/01/2024 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsFellowactivity College on Problems of Drug Dependence
06/01/2024 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMemberactivity American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
10/01/2023 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMemberactivity Doctors for Drug Policy Reform
06/15/2025 - PresentAdvisory BoardsBoard of DirectorsDetailsDoctors for Drug Policy Reformwww.d4dpr.org
Honors
honor Travel Award for Early Career Investigators
06/01/2025National AwardCollege on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD)DetailsUnited Stateshonor John Renner Travel Award
08/17/2023National AwardAmerican Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP)honor Diversity Scholars Travel Award
07/19/2023National AwardNational Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)DetailsUnited Stateshonor Postdoctoral Champion of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
10/01/2021Other AwardStanford University - Office of Postdoctoral AffairsDetailsUnited States
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Analgesics, Opioid; Chronic Pain; Opioid Epidemic
Public Health Interests
Substance Use, Addiction
ORCID
0000-0001-9622-3361Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Lab
The mission of the PAIN Lab is to pioneer new approaches for understanding and treating chronic pain and substance use disorders.
View Lab Website
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Julio Nunes's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Julio Nunes's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Julio Nunes is interested in exploring.
Gabriel P. A. Costa, MD
Joao P. De Aquino, MD
Mehmet Sofuoglu, MD, PhD
Brian Pittman
Jeremy Weleff, DO
Ismene Petrakis, MD
34Publications
94Citations
Chronic Pain
Analgesics, Opioid
Publications
Featured Publications
Alcohol Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: An Overlooked Epidemic
De Aquino J, Sloan M, Nunes J, Costa G, Katz J, de Oliveira D, Ra J, Tang V, Petrakis I. Alcohol Use Disorder and Chronic Pain: An Overlooked Epidemic. American Journal Of Psychiatry 2024, 181: 391-402. PMID: 38706339, PMCID: PMC11521207, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230886.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAlcohol use disorderChronic painAUD studiesChronic pain disordersChronic pain outcomesRisk of relapseAlcohol withdrawal syndromeAssessment of painHigher levels of alcohol consumptionLevels of alcohol consumptionWithdrawal syndromePain disordersPain outcomesAcute toleranceNeurobiological changesClinical significanceUse disorderPainClinical relevanceSelf-ReportAlcohol intoxicationAlcohol consumptionGeneral populationMedical conditionsNarrative reviewFrom taboo to treatment: The emergence of psychedelics in the management of pain and opioid use disorder
Weleff J, Nunes J, Costa G, Sofuoglu M, MacLean R, De Aquino J. From taboo to treatment: The emergence of psychedelics in the management of pain and opioid use disorder. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024, 90: 3036-3053. PMID: 38627909, PMCID: PMC11480258, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsOpioid use disorderChronic painLong-term opioid therapyManagement of chronic painPain management alternativeOpioid-induced analgesiaInnovative treatment optionsManagement of painReverse painCentral sensitizationOpioid therapyPain controlTreatment optionsClinical challengeClinical trialsPainPotential therapeutic applicationsPain experiencePotential of psychedelicsNovel therapeuticsHuman evidenceOpioid crisisNeurobiological substratesOpioidExploration of novel therapeuticsAssessing pain in persons with opioid use disorder: Approaches, techniques and special considerations
Nunes J, Costa G, Weleff J, Rogan M, Compton P, De Aquino J. Assessing pain in persons with opioid use disorder: Approaches, techniques and special considerations. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2024, 90: 2985-3002. PMID: 38556851, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsOpioid use disorderAssess painPain assessmentPain experienceConcomitant chronic painChronic opioid therapyQuantitative sensory testingVisual analogue scalePain assessment methodsPain assessment toolsComplex psychosocial backgroundImprove pain assessmentOpioid therapyOpioid usePain responseChronic painAnalogue scaleTraditional self-report methodsPainRisk factorsUse disorderOpioidNarrative reviewSelf-report methodsMultidisciplinary teamThe impact of cannabis on non-medical opioid use among individuals receiving pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Costa G, Nunes J, Heringer D, Anand A, De Aquino J. The impact of cannabis on non-medical opioid use among individuals receiving pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2024, 50: 12-26. PMID: 38225727, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2287406.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNon-medical opioid useOpioid use disorderOpioid useCannabis useOpioid use disorder pharmacotherapyUse disorderImpact of cannabis useAverage follow-up timeFollow-up timeMeta-analysisEvidence of moderate heterogeneityImpact of cannabisPooled odds ratioOpioids non-medicallyRandom-effects modelMeta-analysis of longitudinal studiesCannabis abstinenceTreatment modalitiesOdds ratioModerate heterogeneityPharmacotherapyCannabisOpioidComprehensive searchPublication biasWhat Would Equitable Harm Reduction Look Like?
Jegede O, Nunes J, Tumenta T, Black C, DeAquino J. What Would Equitable Harm Reduction Look Like? The AMA Journal Of Ethic 2024, 26: e572-579. PMID: 38958426, DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2024.572.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDeterminants of health frameworkHarm reductionPerson-centered interventionsReduction programsPromote harm reductionHarm reduction strategiesHarm reduction programsHealth equityHealth frameworkEthnic inequalitiesSocial justiceDrug usePWUDOrganizational policiesMargin ExperimentReduction strategiesHarmCareStigmaProgramHealthRaciallyAntiracistInterventionJusticeDisentangling the effects of racism-related stress on opioid use disorder and chronic pain outcomes
Nunes J, Jegede O, De Aquino J. Disentangling the effects of racism-related stress on opioid use disorder and chronic pain outcomes. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2024, 50: 455-461. PMID: 39018662, PMCID: PMC12036823, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2024.2369866.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsOpioid use disorderUse disorderRacism-related stressChronic pain outcomesOpioid overdose mortality ratesOverdose mortality ratesHealthcare disparitiesBiopsychosocial burdenPain outcomesPrescribed opioidsUndertreated painChronic painPain managementOpioid mortalityPerpetuate stigmaTreat painPain experienceOpioidPainRisk factorsMinoritized populationsMinoritized peopleMortality rateDisparitiesAddiction treatmentGeneral Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire as a marker of low socioeconomic status and inequity.
Nunes JC, Carroll MK, Mahaffey KW, Califf RM, Doraiswamy PM, Short S, Shah SH, Swope S, Williams D, Hernandez AF, Hong DS. General Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire as a marker of low socioeconomic status and inequity. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2022, 317: 287-297. PMID: 36031002, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.085.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe bidirectional relationship between pain and tobacco use: Insights from the longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study
Costa G, Nunes J, Suh R, Sofuoglu M, Aquino J. The bidirectional relationship between pain and tobacco use: Insights from the longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2025, 268: 112552. PMID: 39848133, PMCID: PMC11832315, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112552.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDaily smokingDaily cigarette smokingChronic painDevelopment of painCigarette smokingTobacco smokePopulation Assessment of Tobacco and Health StudyBaseline painAlternative tobacco product usePersistent painTobacco product useDevelopment of persistent painYears of longitudinal dataHealth StudyTobacco useNo/low painPreventable causeSmoking outcomesBidirectional relationshipSurvival analysisSmokingPopulation AssessmentAge categoriesIncreased riskSurvey populationPain interference, alcohol use, and metabolic health: Insights from a nationally representative study
Costa G, Suh R, Nunes J, Pittman B, Sofuoglu M, Petrakis I, De Aquino J. Pain interference, alcohol use, and metabolic health: Insights from a nationally representative study. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2025, 49: 1768-1777. PMID: 40568749, DOI: 10.1111/acer.70108.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNational Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyPain interferenceHeavy alcohol useAlcohol usePhysical activityHealth and Nutrition Examination SurveyMetabolic dysfunctionSleep durationNutrition Examination SurveyQuasi-Poisson regression modelCross-sectional analysisTherapeutic approachesComplex patient populationHours of sleepExamination SurveyUS adultsPrimary exposureSecondary analysisChronic painMetabolic healthInteractive associationsClinical outcomesPathophysiological domainsHigher TyGPatient populationThe Role of Childhood Trauma in Chronic Pain and Substance Use Among Individuals Receiving Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.
Costa G, Ra J, Meyerovich J, Pittman B, C Nunes J, De Aquino J. The Role of Childhood Trauma in Chronic Pain and Substance Use Among Individuals Receiving Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2025 PMID: 40728216, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001553.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderChildhood Trauma QuestionnaireChildhood traumaSubstance useCannabis initiationUse disorderBrief Pain InventoryEmotional abuseAge of cannabis initiationPain severityChronic painHigher childhood trauma scoresHistory of childhood traumaLikelihood of cannabis useLevels of emotional abuseChildhood trauma exposureChildhood trauma scoresTrauma-focused assessmentAlcohol consumptionHigher alcohol useOpioid use disorder treatment programsTrauma exposureTrauma QuestionnaireCannabis useTrauma subscales
Teaching & Mentoring
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Teaching
Didactic Assessment of Pain in Persons with Opioid Use Disorder
LecturerLecture SettingDetails7/1/2024 - PresentForGraduate4 Average Instructional Hours Per YearThis course is provided to second year medical students rotating in psychiatry as part of the "Top 10" teaching sessions. In this class we: (1) discuss the multidimensional nature of pain, and how opioid use disorder may impact pain assessment; (2) summarize how specific biological, psychological, and social factors affect the experience of pain among persons with opioid use disorder; and (3) compare various forms of pain assessments.
News & Links
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News
- December 04, 2025
Nunes Awarded 2026 Ruth Fox Scholarship by American Society of Addiction Medicine
- December 02, 2025
Expanding Access to Buprenorphine and Methadone: Global Perspectives and Policy Recommendations
- November 11, 2025
Nunes Authors Peer-Reviewed Publication, Opinion Article
- September 08, 2025
Nunes Selected as 2026 ACP Laughlin Fellow
Related Links
- PsychNews – Why Methadone Reform Can't Wait
- D4DPR Position Statement – Expanding Access to Methadone and Buprenorphine
- Dr. Julio Nunes Discusses Addiction Treatment and the Modernizing Addiction Treatment Access Act
- How Are Methadone and Buprenorphine Different From Street Drugs?
- Cravings in Opioid Recovery
Get In Touch
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Mailing Address
Psychiatry
300 George St #901
New Haven, CT 06511
United States
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