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अखिल भारतीय आयुर्विज्ञान संस्थान, नई दिल्ली
All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

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Dr. Atul Ambekar

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ATUL AMBEKAR

2. Designation Professor

3. Qualifications MD (Psychiatry)

4. Email ID

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5. Field of interest

  • Public Health Issues related to Alcohol and Drug Use

  • Epidemiology of drug use

  • Training and human resource development

  • Use of Information Technology in addiction-related issues

  • Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) and Harm Reduction

  • Drug Policies and Programs

  • Community-based interventions to facilitate access to services

  • Gender and drug use

  

6. Speciality clinics 

  1. Community Clinic – Kotla Mubarakpur

  2. Women Clinic, NDDTC, Ghaziabad

7. Total number of publications till date 220 

8. Details of publications since 2015 onwards (the full citation)- these should be divided into journal  articles (peer reviewed publications) and books/monographs/project reports/ proceedings from workshops (non-peer reviewed publications) (Last 10 years) PAPERS and ARTICLES (in peer-reviewed Scientific Journals)

  1. Schofield J, Baldacchino AM, Ambekar A, et al (2026). Global perspectives on telemedicine-enabled medications for opioid use disorder: Practices, priorities, and barriers. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/1357633X251394442

  2. Sabir MA, Rao R, Mishra AK, Bhargava R, Ambekar A (2026). Comparative Study of Delay Discounting Rates in Alcohol and Opioid Dependence in Northern India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine (2026):10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_344_24, January 12, 2026. | DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_344_24

  3. Gupta SK, Gupta S, Panda UK, Agrawal A, Ambekar A, Rao R (2025). Substance use depiction in women characters: Content analysis of systematically selected Hindi movies over three decades. Indian J Psychiatry. 2025 Nov;67(11): 1066-1072. doi:10.4103/indianjpsychiatry_407_25

  4. Dhawan A, Chatterjee B, Bhargava R, Chopra A, Mandal P, Rao R, et al (2025). Substance use among school-going adolescents in India: Results from a nationwide survey. Natl Med J India 2025;38: 332–8. DOI: 10.25259/NMJI_824_2022

  5. Shekhawat A, Ambekar A, Agrawal A, Rao RV, Mishra AK, Parmar A, Biswas T (2025). Oral methadone versus sublingual buprenorphine for the treatment of acute opioid withdrawal: A triple-blind, double-dummy, randomized control trial. Drug Alcohol Depend 2025 Sep 1:274:112793. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112793

  6. Griffiths P, Parry C, Ambekar A, Vicknasingam B, Basutu A, Myers B, Bo A, Dietze P, Douglas K, Ezard N, Fiore M, Hynes M, Jones CM, Kent P, Mounteney J, Niaz K, Palczak K, Pascale A, Peacock A, Rychert M, Sturua L, Zhang YA (2025). The Need to Revitalise Drug Use Monitoring to Keep Pace With a More Dynamic, Digitally Enabled and Globally Connected Drug Market. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2025 Sep 16. doi: 10.1111/dar.70029.

  7. Mandal P, Sanahan R, Singh YC, Ambekar A. (2025). Buprenorphine maintenance treatment and its outcome among opioid dependent pregnant women: A case series from India. Indian J Psychiatry. 2025 Aug;67(8):809-812. doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry_474_25.

  8. Jhajharia A, Saha P, Mandal P, Ambekar A (2025). Outpatient-based buprenorphine-assisted opioid withdrawal management: A preliminary prospective observational study. Indian J Psychiatry. 2025 Apr;67(4):428-431. doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_1084_24. Epub 2025 Apr 15.

  9. Quraishi, R., Kumar, R., Sarkar, S., Rao, R., & Ambekar, A. (2025). Gene polymorphism Mu opioid receptor & its impact on naltrexone treatment response in alcohol-dependent individuals: A pilot study from north India. Indian J Med Res. 161, 2025, 199-201. DOI: 10.25259/IJMR_141_2024

  10. Mandal P, Ambekar A, Choudhary H, Bagri S (2025). Outcome of Buprenorphine maintenance treatment among Indian females with opioid dependence: Report from a tertiary addiction treatment center. Indian J Psychiatry 67(3):p 303-309, March 2025. DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_928_24)

  11. Bagri S, Quraishi R, Kumar R, Singh S, Ambekar A (2025). Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Polymorphism, Craving, and Stress Among Alcohol-Dependent Patients: A Preliminary Cross-sectional Study from India. Addict Health. 2025 Jan;17:1593. doi: 10.34172/ahj.1593. Epub 2025 Mar 15. PMID: 40502460; PMCID: PMC12156895.

  12. Ekhtiari H, Khojasteh Zonoozi A, Rafei P, Abolghasemi FS, Pemstein D, Abdelgawad T, Achab S, Ghafri HA, Al'Absi M, Bisch M, Conti AA, Ambekar A, ….et al (2024). World addiction medicine reports: formation of the International Society of Addiction Medicine Global Expert Network (ISAM-GEN) and its global surveys. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Mar 11;15:1230318. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1230318

  13. Kumar, R., Quraishi, R., Sarkar, S., Rao, R., & Ambekar, A. (2024). Naltrexone and its effect on craving and alcohol use among ADS patients: Report from a drug dependence treatment centre in North India. Addiction & Health, 16 (3); 224-227. DOI: 10.34172/ahj.1494

  14. Singh R, Grover T, Ambekar A, Gupta R, Jain R, Vaswani M, Mishra A, Sharma A. (2024).  Association of Dopamine pathway gene polymorphisms in patients with alcohol dependence. Asian J Psychiatr. 2024 22;100:104166. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104166

  15. Dhagudu N, Brar M, George AB, Ambekar A. (2024). Navigating opioid use in chronic noncancer pain conditions: A case series on pseudoaddiction. Indian Journal of Psychiatry 66(7):p 668-671, July 2024. | DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_69_24

  16. Chattopadhyay A, Chawla N, Sen MS, Verma S, Ganesh R, Sarkar S, Ambekar A et al. (2024). Unprotected Risky Sex Among Men with Opioid Dependence: Is More Needed to Be Done? Journal of Psychosexual Health. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/26318318241255777

  17. Dhawan A, Mishra AK, Chatterjee B, Bhatia G, Ambekar A, Agarwal A, Bhargava R, Chopra A (2024). Characteristics Associated with Substance Use and Non-use Among Street Children in Delhi, India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Epidemiological Study. Indian J Psychol Med. 2024 Jan;46(1):46-54. doi: 10.1177/02537176231199209

  18. Kathiresan P, Patel V, Jangra J, Chattopadhyay A, Abdus S, Jadhav M, Rao R, Arya A, Bansal PD, Chinggouman C, Bhad R, Ambekar A, Agrawal A, Chatterjee B, Yadav D (2024). Experience of patients on methadone maintenance treatment receiving take-home methadone doses during COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-site study from India. Asian J Psychiatr. 2024 Feb 24:95:103979. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.103979

  19. Shakya P, Rao R, Agrawal A, Bhad R, Ambekar A, Yadav D (2024). Are People with Opioid Dependence Who Inject Opioids Different from Those Who Do Not?–Findings from a Cross-sectional, Observational, Community-based Study from North India. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry. 40 (1), 21-29

  20. Teck JTW, Zlatkute G, Perez A, Dritschel H, Ghosh A, Potenza MN, Ambekar A, Ekhtiari H, Stein D, Khazaal Y, Arunogiri S, Torrens M, Ferri M, Galea-Singer S, Baldacchino A (2023). Key implementation factors in telemedicine-delivered medications for opioid use disorder: a scoping review informed by normalisation process theory. Lancet Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;10(1):50-64.

  21. Goyal, S, Ambekar A, Arora P, Prakash P, Rao R, Agrawal A, Mishra AK (2023). A cross-sectional study of sociodemographic profile, availability, pattern of use, and service utilization by opioid users in a tertiary care hospital. Archives of Mental Health 24(1):p 32-37, Jan–Jun 2023. | DOI: 10.4103/amh.amh_98_22

  22. Sivaraman S, Harsvardhan R, Ambekar A, Lal R, Alvi S, Shukla A (2023). A cost analysis study to estimate the cost spent by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, Ghaziabad, for treatment of substance use disorders for a defined study population. J Indira Gandhi Inst Med Sci 2023;9:67-74. Available from: http://www.jigims.co.in/text.asp?2023/9/1/67/373398

  23. Sen MS, Chattopadhyay A, Chawla N, Ganesh R, Verma S, Sarkar S, Ambekar A (2023). A comparative study of sexual behavior, dysfunction, satisfaction, relationship, and sexual quality of life amongst treatment-naïve and abstinent men (buprenorphine-maintained) with Opioid (heroin) dependence syndrome. Indian J Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;65(1):75-82. doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_395_22. Epub 2023 Jan 13

  24. Sivaraman S, Harsvardhan R, Ambekar A, Lal R, Shukla A, Alvi S (2023). A cost-analysis study to estimate the expenditure incurred by heroin-dependent patients before and after availing treatment for substance use disorder at an apex drug de-addiction center. J Indira Gandhi Inst Med Sci 2023;9:85-92. Available from: http://www.jigims.co.in/text.asp?2023/9/1/85/373395

  25. Forget P, Patullo C, Hill D, Ambekar A, Baldacchino A, Cata J, et al (2022). System-level policies on appropriate opioid use, a multi-stakeholder consensus. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Mar 12;22(1):329. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-07696-x

  26. Ambekar A (2022). Decriminalisation of drug use in India: A long overdue legal reform (editorial). Ind J Soc Psy. 2022, 38(3): 209-212. DOI: 10.4103/ijsp.ijsp_183_22

  27. Ambekar A, Gautam M, Matcheswalla Y, Kar S, Kadam K (2022). Medicolegal Issues with Reference to NDPS and MHCA in Management and Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Use Disorders. Indian J Psychiatry 2022 Mar;64(Suppl 1):S146-S153. doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_724_21

  28. Quraishi R, Varshney M, Rao RV, Ambekar A (2022). Evaluation of alcohol use pattern among OST patients using alcohol biomarkers: Report from community clinics in India. Indian J Psychiatry 2022 May-Jun;64(3):312-315

  29. Singh R, Gupta R, Grover T, Ambekar A, Jain R, Vaswani M, Mishra A, Sharma A (2022). Role of the Serotonin and GABAA Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in patients with Alcohol Dependence. Asian J Psychiatry, 2022 Nov 12;80:103326. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103326.

  30. Quraishi R, Sarkar S, Parmar A, Jain R, Das BK, Ambekar A (2022). Exploring the clinical variables among drug-dependent HIV-Positive patients: Implications for treatment strategies. Indian J Public Health 2022 Jul-Sep;66(3):331-333

  31. Choudhary N, Singh S, Rathore P, Ambekar A, Bhatnagar S (2021). Opioid Use Disorders among patients on long-term morphine for management for chronic cancer pain: A pilot study from a tertiary palliative care facility. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 27(2); 264-268

  32. Saini R, Parmar A, Rao R, Mishra AK, Ambekar A, Agrawal A (2021). Psychiatric and Substance Use Comorbidities among People who Inject Drugs in India: A Cross-Sectional, Community-Based Study. World Soc Psychiatry 2021;3:195-202

  33. Singh A, Rao R, Chatterjee B, Mishra AK, Kaloiya G, Ambekar A (2021). Cognitive functioning in patients maintained on buprenorphine at peak and trough buprenorphine levels: An experimental study, Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 61, 102697, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102697

  34. Singh et al (India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative Neurological Disorders Collaborators) (2021). The burden of neurological disorders across the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2019. The Lancet Global Health, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00164-9

  35. Schaub MP, Tiburcio M, Martínez-Vélez N, Ambekar A, Bhad R, Wenger A, Baumgartner C, Padruchny D, Osipchik S, Poznyak V, Rekve D, Landi Moraes F, Monezi Andrade AL, Oliveira Souza-Formigoni ML; WHO E-Health Project On Alcohol And Health Investigators Group (2021).  The Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Help Program to Reduce Alcohol Use Among Adults With Drinking Patterns Considered Harmful, Hazardous, or Suggestive of Dependence in Four Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Aug 27;23(8):e21686. doi: 10.2196/21686.

  36. Quraishi R, Sharma J, Jain R, Ambekar A (2021). Influence of catechol‑O‑methyltransferase enzyme gene polymorphism on alcohol and tobacco consumption in North Indian treatment seeking population. Indian J Psychiatry 2021;63:240-4

  37. Manomy PA, Yenamandra VK, Dabas G, Joshi P, Ambekar A, Sreenivas V, Sharma VK, Vatsa M, Ravindran S, Sethuraman (2021). Impact of a psychodermatological education package on the subjective distress, family burden, and quality of life among the primary caregivers of children affected with epidermolysis bullosa. Indian Dermatol Online J 2021;12:276-80.

  38. Chawla N, Verma S, Ganesh R, Sarkar S & Ambekar A (2021). Sexual relationship, self-esteem, dysfunction, and sexual satisfaction in treatment naïve men with heroin dependence. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2020.1870779

  39. Castro‐Calvo, J., King, D. L., Stein, D. J., Brand, M., Carmi, L., Chamberlain, S. R., Demetrovics, Z., Fineberg, N. A., Rumpf, H.‐J., Yücel, M., Achab, S., Ambekar, A., Bahar, N., Blaszczynski, A., Bowden‐Jones, H., Carbonell, X., Chan, E. M. L., Ko, C.‐H., de Timary, P., Dufour, M., Grall‐Bronnec, M., Lee, H. K., Higuchi, S., Jimenez‐Murcia, S., Király, O., Kuss, D. J., Long, J., Müller, A., Pallanti, S., Potenza, M. N., Rahimi‐Movaghar, A., Saunders, J. B., Schimmenti, A., Lee, S.‐Y., Siste, K., Spritzer, D. T., Starcevic, V., Weinstein, A. M., Wölfling, K., and Billieux, J. (2021) Expert appraisal of criteria for assessing gaming disorder: An international Delphi study. Addiction, https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15411.

  40. Radfar SR, De Jong CAJ, Farhoudian A, Ebrahimi M, Rafei P, Vahidi M, Yunesian M, Kouimtsidis C, Arunogiri S, Massah O, Deylamizadeh A, Brady KT, Busse A; ISAM-PPIG Global Survey Consortium, Potenza MN, Ekhtiari H, Baldacchino AM (2021). Reorganization of Substance Use Treatment and Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Survey. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Apr 29;12:639393. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.639393. PMID: 34025471; PMCID: PMC8135096.

  41. Farhoudian A, Radfar SR, Mohaddes Ardabili H, Rafei P, Ebrahimi M, Khojasteh Zonoozi A, De Jong CAJ, Vahidi M, Yunesian M, Kouimtsidis C, Arunogiri S, Hansen H, Brady KT; ISAM Global Survey Consortium (ISAM-GSC), Potenza MN, Baldacchino AM, Ekhtiari H (2021). A Global Survey on Changes in the Supply, Price, and Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol, and Related Complications During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Aug 6;12:646206. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.646206. PMID: 34421664; PMCID: PMC8377291.

  42. Mohan, A., & Ambekar, A. (2020). Telepsychiatry and Addiction Treatment. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 42(5_suppl), 52S-56S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0253717620958169

  43. Sartaj D, Krishnan V, Rao R, Ambekar A, Dhingra N, Sharan P. (2020). Mental illnesses and related vulnerabilities in the Hijra community: A cross-sectional study from India. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2020 Aug 20:20764020950775. doi: 10.1177/0020764020950775

  44. Gupta R, Grover S, Basu A, Krishnan V, Tripathi A, Subramanyam A, Nischal A, Hussain A, Mehra A, Ambekar A, Saha G, Mishra KK, Bathla M, Jagiwala M, Manjunatha N, Nebhinani N, Gaur N, Kumar N, Dalal PK, Kumar P, Midha PK, Daga R, Tikka SK, Praharaj SK, Goyal SK, Kanchan S, Sarkar S, Das S, Sarkhel S, Padhy SK, Sahoo S, Satyanarayana Rao TS, Dubey V, Menon V, Chhabra V, Lahan V, Avasthi A (2020). Changes in sleep pattern and sleep quality during COVID-19 lockdown. Indian J Psychiatry. 2020 Jul-Aug;62(4):370-378. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_523_20

  45. Grover T, Gupta R, Arora G, Bal CS, Ambekar A, Basu Ray S, Vaswani M, Sharma A (2020). Dopamine transporter availability in alcohol and opioid dependent subjects - a 99m Tc-TRODAT-1SPECT imaging and genetic association study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2020 Sep 10;305:111187. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2020.111187

  46. Dhagudu, N.K., Ambekar, A., Agrawal, A., Rao, R., Mishra, A.K., Jain, R. and Singh, S (2020). Is there enough naloxone to deter the diversion? Effect of concurrent administration of intravenous naloxone on opioid agonist effects of intravenous buprenorphine: A randomised, double‐blind, within‐subject, crossover study among opioid‐dependent subjects. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2020; 39: 595-603 doi:10.1111/dar.13057

  47. Sagar R et al (India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative Mental Disorders Collaborators) (2020). The burden of mental disorders across the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2017. The Lancet Psychiatry; 7 (2): 148-161

  48. Rao R, Panda U, Gupta SK, Ambekar A, Gupta S, Agrawal A (2020). Portrayal of alcohol in Bollywood movies: A mixed methods study. Indian J Psychiatry, 62(2): 159-166

  49. Goyal SG, Ambekar A, Jain R, Mehta M, Mishra AK (2020). Intravenous buprenorphine does not impair psychomotor and cognitive functioning in opioid-dependent patients using oral dextropropoxyphene: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study. J Mental Health Hum Behav 2020;25:45-52

  50. Chawla N, Verma S, Sarkar S, Ambekar A (2020). Assessment of sexual behavior among patients seeking treatment for opioid dependence and their knowledge and attitude about high-risk sexual behavior: A cross-sectional observational study. Indian J Soc Psychiatry 2020;36:29-36

  51. Vishwakarma A, Tarwani J, Chawla N, Dayal P, Agrawal A, Mandal P & Ambekar A (2020) Mephentermine dependence with induced psychosis: a series of two cases, Journal of Substance Use, 25:6, 569-571, DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1749949

  52. Rao R, Gupta SK, Swaminathan P, Gupta V, Dhawan A, Agrawal A & Ambekar A (2020) Predictors of long-term retention on opioid agonist treatment with buprenorphine: a 6-year, community-based retrospective cohort study in India. Journal of Substance Use, 25:5, 489-494, DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1736666

  53. Gupta S, Lal R, Ambekar A, Mishra AK, Rao R (2020). The pattern of alcohol use and its relationship with consequences among problem alcohol users: A community-based cross-sectional study from India. Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(2):152‐158. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_194_19

  54. Srivastava P, Mehta M, Sagar R, Ambekar A. Smartteen- a computer assisted cognitive behavior therapy for Indian adolescents with depression- a pilot study. Asian J Psychiatr. 2020; 50:101970. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.101970

  55. Dhawan A, Mishra AK, Ambekar A, Chatterjee B, Agrawal A, Bhargava R (2020). Estimating the size of substance using street children in Delhi using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS), Asian Journal of Psychiatry: 48 (2020) 101890

  56. Ambekar A, Mishra A, Parmar A, Kumar R, Kumar M, Rao R, Agrawal A (2019), Are non-injecting opioid users at risk of transition to injecting drug use? A multi-site study from India Asian Journal of Psychaitry, 42:79-84

  57. Jyani G, Prinja S, Ambekar A, Bahuguna P, Kumar R (2019). Health impact and economic burden of alcohol consumption in India International Journal of Drug Policy, 69; 34-42

  58. Kathiresan P, Ambekar A, Sarkar S. (2019). Opioid Substitution Treatment Using Buprenorphine for Management of Dependence on Natural Opioids: Case Series, Indian J Psychol Med 11;41(6):586-588

  59. Sood A, Mishra A, Ambekar A (2019), Trends in alcohol consumption and expenditure: Analysis of household data from nationally representative sample from India, Asian Journal of Psychaitry, 22;40:116-123.

  60. Saini R, Rao R, Parmar A, Mishra AK, Ambekar A, Agrawal A, Dhingra N. (2019), Rates, knowledge and risk factors of non-fatal opioid overdose among people who inject drugs in India: A community-based study. Drug Alcohol Rev.. doi: 10.1111/dar.13016.

  61. Jain R, Quraishi R, Verma A, Ambekar A. (2019). Development and clinical evaluation of a dried urine spot method for detection of morphine among opioid users.Indian J Pharmacol; 51(1):40-44.

  62. Rao R, Varshney M, Singh S, Agrawal A, Ambekar A(2019), Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and Addiction Treatment: Potential Pitfalls and Trepidations Indian J Psychiatry, 61(2); 208-212

  63. Mandal P, Parmar A, Ambekar A, Dhawan A(2019), Substance use among treatment seeking Indian adolescent girls: Are they unique? Asian Journal of Psychaitry 22;41:17-19

  64. Ambekar A, Rao R, Agrawal A, Kathiresan P (2019) Research on opioid substitution therapy in India: A brief, narrative review. Indian J Psychiatry; 60:265-70

  65. Quraishi R, Varshney M, Singh A, Singh D, Kumar M, Rao R, Jain R, Ambekar A. (2019). Use of Filter Paper to Measure Alcohol Biomarkers among Opioid-Dependent Patients on Agonist Maintenance Treatment: A Community-Based Study.Indian J Psychol Med. Nov 11;41(6):529-534.

  66. Chattopadhyay A, Gupta S, Dayal P, Mandal P, Agrawal A, Ambekar A (2019). Butorphanol dependence in a health-care professional: A case report with narrative review. Journal of Substance Use, doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2019.1604839

  67. Dandona R, Kumar GA, Dhaliwal RS, Naghavi M, Vos T, Shukla DK, Vijayakumar L, Gururaj G, Thakur JS, Ambekar A, Sagar R, Arora M, Bhardwaj D, Chakma JK, Dutta E, Furtado M, Glenn S, Hawley C, Johnson SC, Khanna T, Kutz M, Mountjoy-Venning WC, Muraleedharan P, Rangaswamy T, Varghese CM, Varghese M, Reddy KS, Murray CJL, Swaminathan S, Dandona L (2018). Gender differentials and state variations in suicide deaths in India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2016. Lancet Public Health.  Oct;3(10):e478-e489. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(18)30138-5.

  68. Ambekar A, Mongia M, (2018). Planning research in psychosocial interventions. Indian Journal of Psychiatry; 60 (8): 575-582

  69. Rumpf HJ, Achab S, Billieux J, Bowden-Jones H, Carragher N, Demetrovics Z, Higuchi S, King DL, Mann K, Potenza M, Saunders JB, Abbott M, Ambekar A, Aricak OT, Assanangkornchai S, Bahar N, Borges G, Brand M, Chan EM, Chung T, Derevensky J, Kashef AE, Farrell M, Fineberg NA, Gandin C, Gentile DA, Griffiths MD, Goudriaan AE, Grall-Bronnec M, Hao W, Hodgins DC, Ip P, Király O, Lee HK, Kuss D, Lemmens JS, Long J, Lopez-Fernandez O, Mihara S, Petry NM, Pontes HM, Rahimi-Movaghar A, Rehbein F, Rehm J, Scafato E, Sharma M, Spritzer D, Stein DJ, Tam P, Weinstein A, Wittchen HU, Wölfling K, Zullino D, Poznyak V (2018). Including gaming disorder in the ICD-11: The need to do so from a clinical and public health perspective. J Behav Addict.:1-6. doi: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.59

  70. Sahni S, Tickoo M, Gupta R, Vaswani M, Ambekar A, Grover T, Sharma A. (2018). Association of serotonin and GABA pathway gene polymorphisms with alcohol dependence: A preliminary study. Asian J Psychiatry. pii: S1876-2018(17)30466-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2018.04.023

  71. Ambekar A, Parmar A, Mandal P & Therthani S. (2017) High proportion of pentazocine dependence among treatment-seeking female injecting drug users (FIDUs) in India: A distinct population? Journal of Substance Use. DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2017.1364306

  72. Dandona L. et al, (India State-level Disease Burden Initiative Collaborators). (2017) Nations within a nation: variations in epidemiological transition across the states of India, 1990–2016 in the Global Burden of Disease Study. LANCET, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32804-0

  73. Ambekar A, Murthy P, Basu D, Rao GP & Mohan A. (2017) Challenges in the scale-up of Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) in India (Guest Editorial), Indian Journal of Psychiatry;59:6-9

  74. Dhawan A,Rao R, Ambekar A, Pusp A & Ray R. (2017) Treatment of substance use disorders through the government health facilities: Developments in the Drug De-addiction Programme of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. DOI:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_19_17 

  75. Gupta S, Lal R, Rao R, Mishra A K & Ambekar A. (2017) Pattern of alcohol use among problem alcohol users in a community-based setting in India: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Substance Use. DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2017.1366557

  76. Schaub MP, Tiburcio M, Martinez N, Ambekar A, Balhara YPS, Wenger A, Andrade ALM, Padruchny D, Osipchik S, Gehring E, Poznyak V, Rekve D & Souza-Formigoni MLO, WHO e-health project on Alcohol and Health Investigators Group (2017) Alcohol e-Help: Study protocol for a Web-based self-help program to reduce alcohol use in adults with drinking patterns considered harmful, hazardous, or suggestive of dependence in middle-income countries. Addiction. doi: 10.1111/add.14034

  77. Saunders J B, Hao W, Long J, King DL, Mann K, Fauth-Bühler M, Rumpf HJ, Bowden-Jones H, Rahimi-Movaghar A, Chung T, Chan E, Bahar N, Achab S, Lee HK, Potenza M, Petry N, Spritzer D, Ambekar A, Derevensky J, Griffiths MD, Pontes HM, Kuss D, Higuchi S, Mihara S, Assangangkornchai S, Sharma M, Kashef A E, Ip P, Farrell M, Scafato E, Carragher N & Poznyak V. (2017) Gaming disorder: Its delineation as an important condition for diagnosis, management, and prevention J Behav Addict:1-9. doi: 10.1556/2006.6.2017.039

  78. Singh R, Grover T, Gupta R, Ambekar A, Jain R and Sharma A. (2017) An Association Study of the COMT and GABA Gene Variants with Alcohol Dependence. J Addict Res Ther, 8:6 DOI: 10.4172/2155-6105.1000350

  79. Gupta R, Grover T, Ambekar A, Singh R, Vaswani M and Sharma A. (2017) An Association Study on the Glutamate Pathway GRIN2A Gene Polymorphisms with Heroin Dependence. J Addict Res Ther, 8:6 DOI: 10.4172/2155-6105.1000348

  80. Qureshi R, Jain R, Ambekar A & Mishra AK. (2017) Association of ankyrin repeats & kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) polymorphism with co-morbid alcohol and nicotine dependence: A pilot study from a tertiary care treatment center in North India. Indian Journal of Medical Research, (145); 33-38

  81. Gupta SK, Ambekar A, Dhawan A & Mehta M (2017). Personality profile of alcohol and injecting opioid users: A comparative study from India, Asian Journal of Psychatry, 25: 142-146

  82. Mandal P, Parmar A, Therthani S & Atul Ambekar (2016). Profile of elderly women seeking treatment for substance use disorders at a tertiary care treatment center, Journal of Substance Use, DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2016.1217092

  83. Kuppili PP, Bhad R, Rao R, Dayal P & Ambekar A, (2016) The mis-adventurous use of prescription opioids in chronic non-cancer pain, National Medical Journal of India DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2015.1040092

  84. Rao R, Ambekar A, Agrawal A, Pawar AK, Mishra AK & Khandelwal S. (2016) Evaluation of a five-day training programme on opioid substitution therapy in India, Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy: DOI: 10.3109/09687637.2016.1167166

  85. Rao R, Mandal P, Gupta R, Ramashankar P, Mishra AK, Ambekar A, Jhanjee S & Dhawan A. (2015) Factors affecting drug use during incarceration: a cross-sectional study of opioid-dependent persons from India, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment: DOI:10.1016/j.jsat.2015.08.009

  86. Bhad R, Dayal P, Kumar S & Ambekar A, (2015) The drug ketamine: a double edged sword for mental health professionals J Subst Use; DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2015.1040092

  87. Varshney M, Ambekar A, Lal R, Yadav D, Rao R & Mishra AK, (2015) Brief Interventions for harmful alcohol use in opioid-dependent patients on maintenance treatment with buprenorphine: A prospective study from India, Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment,: doi: 10.1097/ADT.0000000000000076

  88. Ambekar A, Rao R, Agrawal A, Mishra AK, Kishore K, Mukherjee D & Albertin C, (2015) Pattern of drug use and associated behaviours among female injecting drug users from northeast India: a multi-centric, cross-sectional, comparative study, Substance Use and Misuse,: 50:10, 1332-1340; DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2015.101313

  89. Prakash S, Ambekar A & Dayal P, (2015) Occasional alcohol use, relapse to opioids and the role of disulfiram, Journal of Substance Use,DOI: 10.3109 / 14659891. 2015. 1029024

  90. Ramdurg S, Ambekar A & Lal R. (2015) Co-relationship between sexual dysfunction and high-risk sexual behavior in patients receiving buprenorphine and naltrexone maintenance therapy for opioid dependence. Ind Psychiatry J;24:29-34

  91. Dhawan A, Chopra A, Ambekar A & Ray R. (2015) Treatment seeking behavior of inhalant using street children: Are we prepared to meet their treatment needs. Indian J Psychol Med;37:282-7

BOOKS AND MONOGRAPHS (AUTHORED / EDITED): (a) Training Manuals / Resource Materials

  1. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (2021) [lead authors: Ambekar A & Kedia S]. Standard Policy and Practice Guidelines for NDLEA counselling centres. Lagos: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Government of Nigeria

  2. Ambekar A & Mohan A (2019). Guidelines: Treatment of Opioid Dependence using Opioid Agonists (Buprenorphine),with focus on operational procedures. Gurugram:Indian Psychiatric Society

  3. Ambekar A et al (2018)Dealing with Substance Abuse (Block 1), MCFTE-003, Substance Abuse Counselling and Therapy, New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Open University

  4. Ambekar A et al (2018) Therapeutic Interventions (Block 2), MCFTE-003, Substance Abuse Counselling and Therapy. New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Open University

  5. Ambekar A, Rao R & Agrawal A. (2017). Methadone Maintenance Treatment under National AIDS Control Programme: Training Manual. New Delhi: National AIDS Control Organisation and Emmanuelle Hospital Association

  6. Rao R, Ambekar A & Agrawal A. (2017). Methadone Maintenance Treatment under National AIDS Control Programme: Clinical Practice Guidelines. New Delhi: National AIDS Control Organisation and Emmanuelle Hospital Association

  7. Mohan A, Ambekar A, Basu D, Narayanan D, narraRao GP, Saha G, Kumar MS, Kumar P, Murthy P, Singh RKL, Gupta R, Nagpal R & Rao TSS, (2017). Buprenorphine as OST. Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Using Buprenorphine. IPS-IAPP Task Force Recommendation for Organizing, Implementing and Scaling up of OST in India (with particular reference to policy and legal issues). Chandigarh: Indian Association of Private Psychiatry, April 2017

  8. Agrawal A, Kumar M, Rao R & Ambekar A (2015). QUALITY ASSURANCE IN IMPLEMENTATION OF HARM REDUCTION SERVICES: A field manual for supervising and mentoring Targeted Interventions and OST centres working with Injecting Drug Users and their spouses under the National AIDS Control Programme. New Delhi: National AIDS Control Organisation, India.

(b) Research reports

  1. Ambekar A, Agrawal A, Rao R, Mishra AK, Khandelwal SK, Chadda RK on behalf of the group of investigators for the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India (2019). Magnitude of Substance Use in India. New Delhi: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

  2. Herath S, Ambekar A (2018). Rapid Assessment of Drug Use Patterns (RADUP) among People Who Use and/or Inject Drugs (PWUD/PWID) in Sri Lanka. National STD/AIDS Control Program, (NSACP), and National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, NDDCB, Sri Lanka in collaboration with Alliance Regional Technical Support Hub/Alliance India, New Delhi

  3. Ambekar A, Rao R, Agrawal A, Mishra A, Kumar R, Kumar M (2016) Punjab Opioid Dependence Survey. New Delhi: SPYM and NDDTC, AIIMS

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS / MONOGRAPHS

  1. Ambekar A, Madal P, Prajapati N (2024). “Substance Use in Women: An International Perspective”, in Singh V, Kumar M, Garg B, Borasi M (Eds), A Guidebook on Women Mental Health: An International Perspective. Bhopal: Textreads

  2. Ambekar A, Singh S (2023). “Prevention and Management of Substance Use: health promotion and behavioural approaches”, In Arora M, Goenka S (ed), Public Health Approaches to Health Promotion. Florida: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

  3. Ambekar A (2023). “Drug Use situation in South Asia”. In, Ghosh S, Ray R (eds). Souvenir published on the occasion of World Psychiatric Association Regional Congress (WPARC) 2023. Kolkata: SAARC Psychiatric Federation (pp 30-34)

  4. Ambekar A (2023). “Foreword”. In, Kala A Most of what you know about Addiction is Wrong. New Delhi: Speaking Tiger

  5. Ambekar A, Singh S (2022). “Dealing with Drug Addiction”. In Chadda RK, Pratap S, Sood M, Deb KS (eds) Mental Health at Crossroads: Challenges and Solutions. New Delhi: White Falcon Publishing (pp 64-72)

  6. Ambekar A (2021), “Challenges in managing substance use disorders during COVID19 pandemic”. In Bhattacharyya R, Dalui A, Bandhopadhyay T, Sen A (eds) Guidelines for managing mental health issues during COVID 19 pandemic. Kolkata: Indian Medical Association – Bengal State Branch

  7. Ambekar A., Rao R., Agrawal A. (2021). “Contribution towards national policies and programs related to addiction treatment services during COVID-19 pandemic: An experiential account” (pp 70-74). In Chadda R, Sood M, Deep R (eds), COVID19 pandemic and Mental Health: Experiences of organizing services at a tertiary care healthcare institution. New Delhi: Dept. of Psychiatry and NDDTC, AIIMS, New Delhi

  8. Ambekar A, George A (2020). “Integrating the biological basis and the pharmacotherapy of Alcohol dependence: Focus on current and potential interventions.” In Gupta N, Kumar P, Mohan A (eds) Recent Advances in Biological Psychiatry – Theme: Addiction Psychiatry (2nd ed). Mumbai: Indian Association of Biological Psychiatry

  9. Ambekar A, Mandal P (2020). “Substance related disorders” In Singh PK, Singh OP, Kumar V (eds) IPS Text book of Undergraduate Psychiatry. New Delhi: Jaypee brothers medical publishers

  10. Qureshi R, Ambekar A (2018). “Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorders” in Bhuyan D (Ed). Psychiatry Update. Dibrugarh: Assam Medical College

  11. Ambekar A, Chawla N (2018). “Cannabis: From Neurobiology to Policy” in Bhuyan D (Ed). Psychiatry Update. Dibrugarh: Assam Medical College

  12. Dabholkar H, Ambekar A & Benegal V,(2017) “Psychiatric Emergencies in Substance Abuse” in Thara R, Vijayakumar L (eds), Emergencies in Psychiatry in Low and Middle Income countries, Edition - II, New York: Routledge

  13. Qureshi R, Jain R & Ambekar A. (2017) “Dried Blood Spots for Testing Drugs of Misuse”, in Wolff K (Ed), Detection of Drug Misuse : Biomarkers, Analytical Advances and Interpretation, Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry

  14. Ambekar A & Goyal S (2016), “Clinical Practice Guidelines for treatment of Amphetamine Type Stimulants”, in Basu D, Dalal PK (eds), Clinical Practice Guidelines on Newer and Emerging Addictive Disorders in India, New Delhi: Indian Psychiatric Society

 

9. Presentations made at scientific meetings/ conferences/ workshops

2020 onwards  

  1. Role of Drug Law Enforcement in Drug Demand Reduction. Invited lecture at the Senior Police Officers’ Conference, Karnataka Police, Bengaluru, 18 January 2026

  2. Coordination between Drug Demand Reduction, Supply control & Harm Reduction. Invited lecture at NarcoTalks – webinar organized by the National Academy of Customs, Indirect taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Bhopal, 2 January 2026

  3. Long-Acting formulations for opioid dependence: Evidence and Ethics. Invited lecture at Annual conference of Indian Psychiatric Society – Chhattisgarh, Bhilai, 21 December 2025

  4. Application of MHCA 2017 for addiction treatment. CME organized by IHBAS, New Delhi, 20 November 2025

  5. Strategies to address drug use problems. Training program for police officers organized by Delhi Policy Academy, New Delhi, 12 November 2025

  6. Examining Drug Use with a Feminist lens. Plenary lecture at National Conference of Addiction Psychiatry Society of India (APSI), Indore, 6 November 2025

  7. Tackling Organized Crime including Narcotics (Panel discussion). Organized by Home Department, Govt. of Kerala, as a part of Seminar Vision 2031, Kannur, 2 November 2025

  8. Addiction Treatment Programmes in India. Working Group meeting of Indo – US Counter Narcotics Working Group, New Delhi, 30 September 2025

  9. Policies and Programmes for Substance Use: Newer Developments. Webinar of Indian Psychiatric Society – Addiction Medicine Specialty Section, New Delhi, 26 August 2025

  10. Operationalization of Addiction Treatment Facilities: Challenges and way forward. National Stakeholder Consultation on National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) by MoSJE, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 14 July 2025

  11. The International Scheduling System for Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances:
    Does It Need an Overhaul? Plenary lecture in International Forum on Drug Policy, Shanghai, China, 9 July 2025

  12. Treatment of opioid use disorders. Clinical and Practical issues. Invited lecture in CME on Medicine organized by AIIMS, Nagpur, 29 June 2025

  13. Prevention of illicit drug use. Invited lecture (webinar) by Indian Psychiatric Society on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. 26 June 2025

  14. Laws related to drug use in India. Invited lecture (webinar) by National Board of Examinations, India, New Delhi, 18 June 2025

  15. Strategies and approaches to deal with drug problems. Invited lecture in ‘Nasha Mukt Indore’ workshop, Indore, 3 May 2025

  16. Alcohol and Public Health: Impact and solutions. Awareness lecture for the officers of Border Roads Organization (HQ), New Delhi, 30 April 2025

  17. A different future for drug policies: rejecting punitive frameworks and embracing health-led approaches. Panel discussion by Global Commission on Drug Policy, World Health Summit, Regional meeting, New Delhi, 26 April 2025

  18. Legal issues and Addiction Treatment. Training session for Indian Drug Users Forum, ‘Advocacy for Civil Rights’, New Delhi, 23 April 2025

  19. Policies and Programmes for Substance Use Disorders: Newer Initiatives. Invited lecture. National CME of Addiction Psychiatry Society of India, Puducherry, 11 April 2025

  20. Motivation Enhancement Therapy. Invited lecture. DY Patil University, School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai, 3 April 2025

  21. Decriminalization of Drug Use: An Idea whose time has come. Invited Lecture, Mental Health Institute, SCB, Cuttack, 28 February 2025

  22. Better epidemiological data for evidence-informed drug use intervention programs: Case of National Drug Survey of India. UNODC-WHO Informal Scientific Network meeting, 24 February, 2025

  23. Long-term / Depot preparations for treatment of opioid dependence: Evidence and Ethics. Invited lecture at Annual Conference of Indian Association for Biological Psychiatry, Gurugram, 23 February 2025

  24. Addiction treatment program of Punjab: Way Forward. Stakeholders’ consultation organized by the Dept. of Health, Govt. of Punjab, Chnadigarh, 19 February 2025

  25. Legal and Ethical issues in Addiction Treatment. Annual conference of IAPP Haryana, Kasauli, 8 February 2025

  26. Substance Use Disorders: A public health concern. Guest lecture for faculty and students, ABVGMC, Vidisha, 29 January 2025

  27. International scheduling system for narcotics and psychotropics. Does it need an overhaul? Webinar organized by the Addiction Medicine section, Indian Psychiatric Society, 15 January 2025

  28. Substance Use: Performance and Productivity. Keynote address, Annual Conference of Association of Industrial Psychiatry of India, Bodhgaya, 20 December 2024

  29. Decriminalization of Drug Use: An Idea whose time has come. Keynote address, Annual Conference of Psychiatrist Association of Nepal (PANCON 2024), Nepalgunj, Nepal, 28 November 2024

  30. Examining Drug Use through a Feminist lens. Invited lecture at pre-conference CME. Annual Conference of Psychiatrist Association of Nepal (PANCON 2024), Nepalgunj, Nepal, 27 November 2024

  31. Recent Advances in treatment of Alcohol Dependence. Invited lecture in Annual National Conference of Indian Association of private Psychiatry (ANCIAPP 2024). Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), 22 November 2024

  32. Motivation Enhancement Therapy. Invited lecture in CME by Bombay Psychiatric Society, Mumbai, 17 November 2024

  33. Research Reflections (Punjab Opioid Dependence Survey). Webinar by International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM), 15 November 2024

  34. India: Drug Use Situation and Surveillance Systems. Expert Meeting. European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), Lisbon, Portugal, 21 October 2024

  35. Stocking and dispensing narcotic and psychotropic medication: Are psychiatrists being unfairly targeted? Invited symposium at Annual Conference of Addiction Psychiatry Society of India – ADDICON 2024, Srinagar, 17 October 2024

  36. Consequences of drug use: Mortality and drug use disorders. Expert group meeting, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Vienna, 23 September 2024

  37. Epidemiology of drug use in hard-to-reach populations. Symposium presented at the ISAM 2024 Global Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, 8 September 2024

  38. Substance Use and Motherhood. Symposium presented at the ISAM 2024 Global Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, 7 September 2024

  39. Effectiveness of opioid agonist treatment. Symposium presented at the ISAM 2024 Global Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, 6 September 2024

  40. Substance Use Disorders: Beyond Symptomatic Recovery. Invited lecture at the Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society – Central Zone, Ayodhya, 30 August 2024

  41. All you know about addiction is wrong. Panel discussion organized by National Institute of Punjab Studies, New Delhi, 26 July 2024

  42. Disorders related to Substance Use. ICD-11 Diagnostic Requirements for Mental, Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: An Online Comprehensive Course, organized by the Dept. of Psychiatry, AIIMS, New Delhi and Global Mental Health Academy, New Delhi (online), 14 July 2024

  43. Role of empathy and compassion in dealing with people affected by drug use. Online training of Police personnel organised by Central Academy of Police Training (CAPT), Bhopal, 26 June 2024

  44. Legal issues faced by practicing psychiatrists (panel discussion). 1st RAJMIDPSYCHON, Jaipur, 2 June 2024

  45. Laws and Policies related to addiction psychiatry. Invited lecture, 1st RAJMIDPSYCHON, Jaipur, 1 June 2024

  46. Cannabis: Changing Perceptions and Policies. CME organized by Psychiatric Association of Nepal (PAN), Kathmandu, 11 May 2024

  47. Substance Use situation in India and policy & program responses: Review meeting for the Drug De-Addiction Program, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, govt. of India, New Delhi, 15 April 2024

  48. Psychedelics and Cannabinoids in Psychiatric Disorders. Plenary lecture in ANCIPS 2024, Indian Psychiatric Society, Kochi, 18 January 2024

  49. Substance Use situation in India: Relevance for NCDs. SEACON NCD 2024 organized by the World NCD Federation (WNF) and the National Resource Centre for NCDs (NRC-NCD), Trivandrum, 5 January 2024

  50. IPS Clinical Practice Guidelines for Alcohol Use Disorders: An overview. Symposium “Treatment Guidelines and Practitioners: Facts, Fears and Future” organized by Indian Psychiatric Society and NIMHANS, Bengaluru, 17 December 2023

  51. Opioid Substitution Treatment. Clinical and Operational aspects. National Webinar ‘Thursday Musings’ organized by Indian Psychiatric Society, (online) 14 December 2023

  52. Overview of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in India. National Webinar on “Prevention and control of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Alcohol Liver Disease (ALD)”, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi (online), 12 December 2023

  53. Bridging the treatment gap for substance use disorders in India. ADDICON 2023, Jaipur, 27 November 2023

  54. Drug Overdose in India: Pattern, Policies & Implications. ISAM 2023 Global Congress, Marrakech, Morocco, 4 November 2023

  55. Compulsory treatment of drug addiction: The International Drug Control Framework. ISAM 2023 Global Congress, Marrakech, Morocco, 3 November 2023

  56. Drug Use from a feminist lens: A bird’s eye view. ISAM 2023 Global Congress, Marrakech, Morocco, 2 November 2023

  57. Drug Use in Indian Prisons: What can be done? ISAM 2023 Global Congress, Marrakech, Morocco, 2 November 2023

  58. Decriminalization of drug use: why is it relevant? Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society – Rajasthan, Udaipur, 23 September 2023

  59. The need of legal and policy reforms relevant to Addiction Psychiatry. Diamond Jubilee International conference on mental health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 15 September 2023

  60. Tobacco, Alcohol, and Infectious Diseases (TAID): Research Opportunities, Challenges and Implications. Panel discussion organized by WHO (India) and Dept. of Psychiatry, AIIMS Deoghar, 28 August 2023

  61. Drug Addiction Epidemic: The Way forward. Panel discussion at the 1st Health Conclave organized by Dept. of Health and Medical Education, Govt. of J&K, Srinagar, 5 July 2023

  62. Treatment of Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders. NAVIGATE-Medico CME, National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 29 June 2023

  63. Drug Addiction situation & responses in India: Focus on North-East. CME and PG development program organized by the LGBRIMH, Tezpur, 26 June 2023

  64. NDPS Act: Challenges for Drug Addiction Treatment. Webinar organized by the Central Academy of Police Training, Bhopal, 26 June 2023

  65. Decriminalization of drug use: Concept and Approaches. Experts Meeting on Mental Health Issues & Interventions, organized by Government of Punjab, Chandigarh, 21 June 2023

  66. Use of addictive substances: Myths and facts.  “Mission Drug Free campus”, Narcotics Control Bureau, MHA, Government of India and University of Delhi, ARSD College, New Delhi 16 June 2023

  67. Use of addictive substances: Myths and facts.  “Mission Drug Free campus”, Narcotics Control Bureau, MHA, Government of India and University of Delhi, Kirori Mal College, New Delhi 15 June 2023

  68. Panel Discussion: Most of what you know about addiction is wrong. Book discussion by Speaking Tigers and India Habitat Centre, 9 June 2023

  69. Strategies to manage drug problems. Workshop organized by Delhi Police and National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), 16 May 2023

  70. Opioid Agonist Treatment in the outpatient settings: Legal & Policy considerations. CME of UP Indian Psychiatric Society, Lucknow, 29 April 2023

  71. “Drugs Harm Reduction” and “New Psychoactive Substances.” Invited lectures at National Conference of Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Heads of States / UTs (Ministry of Home Affairs), New Delhi, 19 Apr 2023

  72. Drug Use from a feminist lens: A bird’s eye view. Symposium presented at the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Regional Congress, Kolkata, 15 April 2023

  73. Treatment of Opioid Dependence in the outpatient settings. Workshop conducted at the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Regional Congress, Kolkata, 13 April 2023

  74. Laws and policies related to addiction psychiatry. Invited lecture, Dept. of Hospital Administration, AIIMS, New Delhi, 29 March 2023

  75. India: Alcohol and Public Health. Keynote lecture at the inaugural ceremony of the workshop organized by the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on “Alcohol Use Disorders in liver diseases”, New Delhi, 28 March 2023

  76. India: Treatment for drug use disorders in government health care settings and Harm Reduction interventions. Side Event conducted by the Government of India during the 66th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Vienna, 17 March 2023

  77. India: Treatment Gap for Substance Use Disorders. Invited symposium at the Annual National Conference of Society for Addiction Psychology, Ghaziabad, 11 March 2023

  78. Challenges in the meaningful involvement of civil society in drug policies. Webinarorganized by the ISAM Policy and Practice Interest Group, 9 March 2023

  79. India: Capacity-building and professional development for
    Addiction Treatment Professionals     (online). Indo-US Steering Group for Drug Demand Reduction (organized jointly by the Govt. of India and the USA), 3 March 2023

  80. Addiction Treatment Programs of India: Status and challenges (online). International Medicine in Addiction (IMiA 2023) conference, Melbourne, Australia, 18 February 2023

  81. Alcohol and Drug Use: The suicide risk. Workshop on mental health conducted for the senior officers from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), New Delhi, 16 January 2023

  82. Opioid Substitution Treatment: Policy and legal considerations. Invited plenary presentation at ADDICON 2022, Annual conference of Addiction Psychiatry Society of India (APSI), Bengaluru, 3 December 2022

  83. Drugs and Children in the context of Right to a drug free childhood. Invited plenary presentation at the conference, “Children Matter” organized by the 4th wave foundation and world federation against drugs, Thiruvananthapuram, 17 Nov 2022

  84. Laws and policies related to addiction treatment. Invited plenary presentation at the Annual conference of Indian Association of Private Psychiatry - Haryana, Solan 12 November 2022

  85. Overview of drug use and addiction. Invited plenary presentation at the Annual conference of Indian Association of Private Psychiatry - Haryana, Solan 11 November 2022

  86. How to address substance use in Mental health programs? Panel discussion as a part of Mental Health Forum 2022, organized by the World Health Organization (Geneva), 10 Oct 2022

  87. Challenges in the meaningful involvement of civil society in drug policies. Symposium presentation at ISAM 2022 global congress, Malta, 5 Oct 2022

  88. ISAM-GEN Structure and Expert Contact Points: From Individuals to Addiction Societies and Treatment Centers. (With Preethy K). Symposium presentation at ISAM 2022 global congress, Malta, 4 Oct 2022

  89. Time for India to End Its War on Drugs? Panel discussion by “Argumentative Indians”, (online), 25 Sep 2022

  90. Treatment of Opioid Dependence: Policy and Legal Considerations. CME organized by the Hyderabad Psychiatric Society, Hyderabad, 24 Sep 2022

  91. Understanding Drug Use (and how to deal with it?). Online Training on Drug Law Enforcement, organized by National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Mumbai, 20 Sep 2022

  92. Laws and Policies related to Addiction Psychiatry. NationalWebinar presented for the resident doctors of National Board of Examination (DNB-Psychiatry), 14 Sep 2022

  93. Substance Use and Suicide. Invited lectureat the Annual National Conference of Society for Rural Mental Health, Solan, 10 Sep 2022

  94. Drug Use in India: What role could police play?, Training program Police Officers, Delhi Police Academy New Delhi, 8 Sep 2022

  95. Harm Reduction: Concept, Philosophy and application to Tobacco. Round table organized by the Policy Circle, New Delhi 4 Sep 2022

  96. Harm Reduction: Opioid Substitution Therapy and Needle Exchange Programs for people who inject drugs. Training program for medical and paramedical staff at Delhi Prisons, New Delhi, 24 August 2022

  97. Substance Use Disorders & Bipolar Disorder: Assessment & Management. Invited lecture in the Post Graduate Development Program of Indian Psychiatric Society – North Zone, Srinagar, 21 August 2022

  98. Substance Use Disorders & their treatment: Situation in India. Invited presentation in the panel discussion on World Mental Health Report 2022, India International Centre, New Delhi, 12 August 2022

  99. Long Acting pharmacological options for opioid dependence: Effectiveness and Ethics. Webinar organized by the Indian Association of Biological Psychiatry (IABP), 5 August 2022

  100. Drug Addiction & its treatment: Situation in India. Invited lecture at the conference on “Drug trafficking and National security”, Narcotics Control Bureau, Chandigarh, 31 July 2022

  101. Cannabis: The Changing Landscape of Perception and Policies. Invited lecture at GPsyCon 2022, Annual conference of Goa Psychiatric Society, Goa, 23 July 2022

  102. Drug Addiction situation & responses in India: Focus on North-East. Invited lecture at North East Police Coordination Committee meeting organized by DG police, Tripura, Agartala, 22 July 2022

  103. Nasha – Ek Bimari. Ilaaj hai zaroori. Panel discussion organised by the Public Health Dept., Govt. of Maharashtra and Indian Psychiatric Society, West Zone, Mumbai, 17 July 2022, online

  104. Drug Addiction & Drug Laws: The interface. ‘Core Competence Conference on Knowledge, Skills & Perspective Development for Special Judges – NDPS Act’, Delhi Judicial Academy, New Delhi, 16 July 2022

  105. Treatment of Opioid Dependence: Policy and Legal Issues. CME on addiction psychiatry organized by AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, 10 July 2022

  106. Indo-Us Enhanced cooperation related to substance use prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Presented on behalf of MoH&FW, Govt. of India at India-US Counter-Narcotics Working Group (CNWG), meeting; New Delhi, 7 July, 2022

  107. Facts about drug use and addiction. E-SYMPOISUM on Trends in Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances, organized by the Forensic Science laboratory, Govt of Delhi; 27 June 2022; online

  108. Recent Policy Update in Decriminalisation of Drug Use.  CME - 'Recent Advances in Addiction Psychiatry’ organized by AIIMS Jodhpur; 26 June 2022, online

  109. Substance Use: Government Policies and Laws.  Capacity Building Program for Govt. college teachers (Assistant professor level) of social sciences; NDDTC AIIMS; Ghaziabad, 18 June 2022 

  110. Substance Abuse & Alcohol Addiction: Deciphering its Impact on the Mental Health of Adolescents & Young Adults. Panel discussion (webinar) organized by the Asia Society India; 25 May 2022, online

  111. Magnitude of drug use in India & our drug policies. Panel discussion on the occasion of inauguration of National Resource Centre on NCDs; 28 April 2022; Thiuvalla, Kerala.

  112. Epidemiological research on substance use in India. Lessons from the field. Webinar on ‘Innovations in Addictions Research in India’ organized by Sangath, Goa; 21 April 2022; online

  113. Substance Use: Attitudes, Policies and Stigma in India. Annual Conference of American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), 15 April 2022; online

  114. Use of addictive substances: Myths and facts. World Health Day event for students and resident doctors at AIIMS, New Delhi, 7 April 2022; New Delhi

  115. Brief Interventions for Tobacco and Alcohol use disorders. 7th International Course on Public Health Approaches to Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), organized by Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi in partnership with World NCD Federation and World Health Organization (WHO); 7 April 2022; New Delhi

  116. NDPS Act and the Psychiatrist. Panel discussion moderated at the national CME during the Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS); 24 Mar 2022; Vishakhapatnam

  117. Amendments in the NDPS Act. Panel discussion and workshop organized by the Department of Revenue, Min. of Finance, Government of India; 9 Mar 2022; New Delhi

  118. Decriminalization of drug use- Need of the hour. CME organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society North Zone; 9 Feb 2022; Online

  119. Drug Addiction among children. Training workshop organized by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Govt of India and National Commission for protection of child rights (NCPCR); 8 Feb 2022; Online

  120. Magnitude of drug use in India. Training workshop organized by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Govt of India and National Commission for protection of child rights (NCPCR); 8 Feb 2022; Online

  121. The International Scheduling System for Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances: Implications for South Asia. Conference of SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF), Kolkata, 18 December 2021

  122. Newer Pharmacotherapies for treatment of opioid dependence: Evidence and Ethics. Annual meeting of Indonesian Psychiatric Association, 5 December 2021

  123. The International Scheduling System for Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances: Does It Need an Overhaul?. Plenary lecture in ISAM 2021 Global congress, 21 Nov 2021

  124. India: COVID19, Lockdown & Addiction Treatment. Symposium in ISAM 2021 Global congress 21 Nov 2021

  125. Newer Pharmacotherapies for treatment of opioid dependence: A Critique. Annual conference of East Zone Indian Psychiatric Society 12 Nov 2021

  126. Management of Alcohol Use Disorders in medical settings. Conference of IMA West Zone, 12 Oct 2021

  127. Leveraging Information Technology for capacity building in Addiction Treatment. CME organized by IPS West Zone 9 Oct 2021

  128. Newer Pharmacotherapies for treatment of opioid dependence: Evidence and Ethics. Annual conference by UP IPS, 25 Sep 2021

  129. E-Health Screening & Brief Interventions: Implications for LAMI countries. Plenary lecture in INEBRIA conference, 24 Sep 2021

  130. The Genesis of APSI. Symposium presented in WASP 2021, 16 Sep 2021

  131. ICD – 11 classification for substance use and addictive behaviors. National CME organized by PGIMER Chandigarh, 15 Sep 2021

  132. Opioid Dependence: An overview of management. National Workshop organized by Dept of Addiction Medicine, LGBRIMH, Tezpur, 4 Sep 2021

  133. Substance Use Disorders: A public health concern. Guest lecture (online) delivered for the faculty and students from Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, 12 August 2021

  134. Facts about drugs and addiction. Lecture delivered to the senior officials on Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 30 June 2021

  135. National Policies and Programmes on treatment of substance use disorders. Webinar organized by the Nursing Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June 2021

  136. The International Framework for Drug Control. Webinar organized by the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June 2021

  137. Laws and Policies related to Addiction Psychiatry. Online CME organized by AIIMS, Nagpur on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June 2021

  138. Opioid Agonist Treatment: Evidence for effectiveness in Opioid Use Disorders. Webinar organized by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, GMC, Srinagar J&K, on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 25 June 2021

  139. Why India does not have an overdose crisis (so far)? Workshop delivered (online) in the International conference ‘Let’s talk overdose’ organized by the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 23 June 2021

  140. India, COVID19 and Addictions. International conference on Technology Addiction, organized by Turkish Green Crescent Society, online, 2 June 2021

  141. Cannabis: the changing landscape of perceptions and policies. CME of Indian Psychiatric Society – South Zone, online – 24 April 2021

  142. Addiction treatment services during COVID19 in India. Side event during the CND meeting (virtual), organized by the International Doctors on Healthier Drug Policies (IDHDP) – 12 April 2021

  143. Addictions To Cyberspace & Their Management. Delivered at CME organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society – West Zone, Online – 11 April 2021

  144. Brief interventions and MET in substance use disorders. ‘Thursday Musings’ webinar series organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society – Odisha branch, 18 March 2021 

  145. Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. National Webinar on ‘Dimensions of Social Defence & Linkages with SDGs’ organized by the FORE school of management, 24 February 2021

  146. Epidemiology of Substance Use. PG Development program organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society – Central Zone, 20 February 2021

  147. Drug Addiction: An overview and strategies for management. Forensic and Technical Course on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances for Sri Lankan Police officers, organized by the Central Academy of Police Training, 12 February 2021

  148. Newer Technologies for treatment of opioid dependence: Evidence and Ethics. Annual National conference of Indian Association of Biological Psychiatry, 7 February 2021

  149. ICD-11 Disorder related to Substance Use and Addictive Behaviour: Field Trial India. National CME organized by the Addiction Psychiatry Society of India (APSI), 31 January 2021

  150. Harm Reduction: Concept, Philosophy and application to Tobacco. Webinar organized by the Association for Harm Reduction Education and Research, 19 January 2021

  151. Cannabis Policies: The Way forward. Webinar organized by Indian Psychiatric Society, West Bengal, 17 January 2021

  152. Evidence Based Treatment of Cannabis Dependence. Webinar organized by the Behavioural and Neuroscience Academy of India, 5 January 2021

  153. COVID19 pandemic: Impact on Addiction Psychiatry. Annual National Conference of Indian Association of Private Psychiatry, 5 December 2020

  154. Opioid Use Epidemic in India: Changing Pattern and Policy Implications. Keynote address delivered in the ISAM Asia Regional conference, 5 December 2020

  155. Medicolegal issues with reference to NDPS & MHCA in management of Substance Use Disorders. Webinar organized by Indian Psychiatric Society, 27 October 2020

  156. Public health and addictive drugs: Laws and Policies: What works and What doesn’t. Webinar organized by Meghalaya legal services authority and Government of Meghalaya on Mental health day, 9 October 2020

  157. SUBSTANCE USE IN NAGALAND. State level consultation organized by Kripa Foundation, Nagaland, 4 August 2020

  158. Laws and Policies related to Addiction Psychiatry. Webinar organized by Kolkata Psychiatry Club and Indian Psychiatric Society, West Bengal. 26 July 2020

  159. Opioid Substitution Treatment : An Overview. Webinar organized by Indian Psychiatric Society, Odisha, 26 July 2020

  160. Benzodiazepine use disorders in clinical practice. Webinar organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society, Karnataka Chapter, 2 July 2020

  161. India: COVID19, Lockdown and Addictions. Webinar organized by Govt. of NCT of Delhi, 26 June 2020

  162. India: COVID19, Lockdown and Addictions. Webinar organized by International Society of Addiction Medicine, 20 May 2020

  163. Services for Drug Use among youth. Moderated the Panel Discussion, during the Indo Scotland Mental Health Conclave, New Delhi, 29 January 2020

  164. Alcohol: Evidence for impact of Prohibition. National Conference ‘From Neurons to Neighbourhood’, by Sun Pharma Research Foundation, New Delhi, 27 January 2020

  165. Magnitude of drug use in India and the existing policy and program framework for response: A road map for evidence-informed drug supply control and demand reduction, Symposium deliveredat the Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS), Kolkata, 24 January 2020

  166. Behavioural Addiction: A Primer for Mental Health Professionals, workshop conducted at the National CME during the Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS), Kolkata, 22 January 2020

  167. Pharmaceutical drug addiction. Training workshop for Police officers from Sri Lanka, National Academy of Customs, Indirect Tax and Narcotics (NACIN), Faridabad, 20 January 2020

  168. Classification of Psychoactive Substances: Based on Science? CME of Addictive Disorder Specialty section, Indian Psychiatric Society, Mumbai, 5 January 2020

  

10. Funded projects A. Principal Investigator/Co-PI in funded projects title along with year completed/ongoing

  1. National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India, Supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (2025- )

  2. Assessing the acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of long-acting depot buprenorphine (LADB) for the treatment of opioid dependence in low- and middle-income countries. Supported by PATH (India) under the project ‘Preventing hepatitis C through harm reduction strategies’ funded by UNITAID. (2025 -)

  3. Implementing a low dead space injecting equipment distribution program for people who inject drugs in low and middle-income countries: a process and outcome evaluation. Supported by PATH (India) under the under the project ‘Preventing hepatitis C through harm reduction strategies’ funded by UNITAID. (2025 -)

  4. Establishing Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Government Health care settings, Supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (2019-ongoing)

  5. Examining Cannabis consumption patterns amongst college students from academic institutions in Delhi & NCR: A Mixed Method Study, non-funded, (2024)

  6. National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance use in India, Supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (2016-2021)

  7. Development and evaluation of service delivery models for management of substance use disorders among the homeless population receiving urban shelter services in Delhi, Supported by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi (2021 – 2022)

  8. Field Testing of ICD-11 Classification for Disorders related to Substance Use and Addictive Behaviours, Supported by WHO (Geneva), (2018-2020)

  9. Developing Training Mechanisms for use of Essential Narcotic Drugs (Methadone) for the treatment of Opioid Dependence, Supported by the Dept. of Revenue, Government of India (2017 – 2021)

  10. Effectiveness of the revised version of DrinkLess – A Web based self help intervention to reduce alcohol consumption in harmful hazardous drinkers: A Transnational RCT. Supported by World Health Organization (Geneva). (2016-2021)

  11. Punjab Opioid Dependence Survey, supported by the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM), with financial support from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (2014 – 2015)

  12. Development of an online training programme on Opioid Substitution Therapy, Project supported by Public Health Foundation of India (2014 – 2017)

  13. Post Marketing Surveillance of Methadone in India, Project supported by the Rusan Pharma (2013 – 2014)

  14. Drug Use Pattern Assessment in Bihar, Haryana and Uttarakhand, project supported by India HIV/AIDS Alliance and NACO, MoH&FW (2013 – 2014)

  15. Opioid Substitution Therapy under the National AIDS Control Program: A situation Assessment, supported by GFATM Round 9 grant and NACO, MoH&FW 2012

  16. Risk of Transition to Injecting Drug Use among non-injecting opioid users: A Multi-site study in Northwest India, supported by SPYM, Regional Resource Training Centre, MoSJE, Government of India (2012)

  17. A pilot study of feasibility and efficacy of Brief intervention compared with Simple Advice when linked to the Brief ASSIST for Substance Use Disorders in Primary Health Care and Community Settings: Project of University of Adelaide, WHO Collaborating Centre, (2011)

 B. Co-investigator in funded projects title along with year completed/ongoing 

  1. Establishing and Implementing Capacity Building Mechanisms for Addiction Treatment Facilities in India Investigators: Alok Agrawal, Atul Ambekar, Rakesh Chadda, Roshan Bhad, Ravindra Rao, (2019-ongoing) (funding: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India)

  2. Field Testing of International Standards for Treatment of Drug Use Disorders, Investigators: Rakesh Chadda, Atul Ambekar, Roshan Bhad, Ravindra Rao, Alok Agrawal (2017 – 2019) (funding: World Health Organization, Geneva)

  3. Rapid Assessment of Drug Use Patterns (RADUP) among People Who Use and/or Inject Drugs (PWUD/PWID) in Sri Lanka, Investigators: Sathya Herath, Atul Ambekar (2017-2018) (funding: Alliance India)

  4. Mapping and size estimation of drug using street children in Delhi. Investigators: Anju Dhawan, Atul Ambekar, Ashwani Mishra, Rachna Bhargava, Biswadip Chatterjee, Alok Agrawal, 2015 – 2016 ((funding: Dept. of Welfare, Govt. of NCT of Delhi)

  5. Workplace intervention for Drug and Alcohol use at Indian Oil Refinery, Digboi, Assam, Investigators: Prof Rajat Ray, Atul Ambekar, Rakesh Lal, Deepak Yadav (2010) (funding: Indian Oil Limited, Assam Oil Division)

  6. Methadone Maintenance Treatment in India: A multi-site feasibility and effectiveness study. Investigators: Anju Dhawan, Atul Ambekar, Rajat Ray, Deepak Yadav, Anita Chopra, Raka Jain 2011 – 2014 (funding: UNODC, ROSA)

11. Non funded projects A. Principal Investigator/Co-PI in non-funded projects title along with year completed and ongoingB. Co- investigator in non-funded projects title along with year completed and ongoing

12. Thesis supervised for MD/ PhD - As guide: 15- As co-guide: 30

13. Significant events/achievements/awards

  • Represented Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as a part of Indian delegation at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Vienna:

    • Mar 2020
    • Apr 2021
    • Mar 2022
    • Sep 2022
    • Mar 2023
    • Mar 2024
    • Mar 2025

  • Represented Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as a part of Indian delegation at the Indo-US Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) meetings: Nominated and selected for the “Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship Program on Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking” of Department of State, USA (2025)

    • New Delhi, July 2022
    • New Delhi, Feb 2023
    • Washington DC, July 2023

  • Meritorious Award for “Outstanding contribution for the prevention & control of Non-Communicable Diseases(NCDs)”, April 2022, National Resource Centre for Non- Communicable Diseases, Thiruvalla, Kerala and Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC)

  • “JJ Memorial Oration on Mental Health”: Govt. Grant Medical College, Mumbai, January 2017 (Topic- Alcohol and Public Health: Impact and Solutions)

  • “BMJ Awards South Asia 2016” for the category, “Non-Communicable Disease Initiative of the Year”, November 2016

  • “Research Excellence Award”, AIIMS, New Delhi, July 2016 for the publication: ‘Ambekar A, et al, “Pattern of drug use and associated behaviours among female injecting drug users from northeast India: a multi-centric, cross-sectional, comparative study”, Substance Use and Misuse, (2015): DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2015.101313’

  • International consultancies / collaborations

 

  1. Other relevant information

 Positions held in professional societies:

Membership of expert committees:

  • Expert committee to examine the proposal for scheduling of certain drugs in light of misuse and intoxication - Central Drug Standards Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India (2025)

  • Expert Committee to examine the proposal for scheduling of Gabapentin, Zopiclone, and Carisoprodol (Chairperson) - Central Drug Standards Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India (2024)

  • National Technical Resource Group, (Chairperson), Injecting Drug Use - National AIDS Control Organisation, Government of India (2023 - ongoing)

  • National Technical Resource Group, Research and Evaluation- National AIDS Control Organisation, Government of India (2024 - ongoing)

  • Expert Committee to examine the proposal for scheduling of Tapentadol - Central Drug Standards Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India (2024)

  • Expert committee for preparation of Standard Treatment Guidelines for New psychoactive Substances (NPS) – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (2024)

  • Project Selection Committee for setting up of District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) under National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (2022-ongoing)

  • Advisor, Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit, Govt. of Punjab (2025 – ongoing)

  • Inter-Ministerial committee on 'dual use' and illicit trafficking of prescription drugs and precursors - Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (2022-2023)

  • Expert Committee for Reviewing the Current Model for the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) Under NAPDDR - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (2022-2023)

  • Expert committee on “Exploring the possibility of blocking of illicit use of ‘dual use’ precursor chemicals for the manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and new psychoactive substances”, - Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (2020-2021)

  • Subject Expert Committee (Psychiatry and Neurology) – Central Drug Standards Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India (2017 - ongoing)

  • Oversight Advisory Committee (Mental health expert) – Network of Asian People Who Use Drugs (NAPUD), Bangkok, (2022-ongoing)

  • Global Burden of Disease (GBD), India Mental Health Expert Group – Public Health Foundation of India(2017- ongoing)

  • Honorary Fellow, School of Criminology, University of Hong Kong (2019-ongoing)

  • Research Advisory Committee, NLR, India (2024-ongoing)

  • Research Advisory Committee, HRIDAY (2024-ongoing)

  • National Consultative Committee on Drug Addiction and Rehabilitation - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (2015-2020)

  • Expert Advisory Panel on Drug Dependence - World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva (2012 -2019)

  • Strategic Advisory Group to United Nations, IDU and HIV - UNAIDS, UNODC and WHO (2012-2016)

  • Trial Steering Committee (TSC) for the iCAP (Integrated Care for Alcohol Problems) study - Sangath, Goa, India & London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK (2024-26)

 

 
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