Paul P. Christopher

Paul P. Christopher is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School. He serves as an Assistant Dean of Medicine for the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) and as a Mary B. Arnold longitudinal mentor to medical students.

Dr. Christopher's research focuses on substance abuse treatment, civil commitment for substance use disorders, opioid use disorder, prisoner healthcare ethics, psychiatric research ethics, and mental health policy. His work examines the intersection of addiction medicine, mental health law, and ethical considerations in treating vulnerable populations, particularly those involved with the criminal justice system. He has made significant contributions to understanding civil commitment practices for substance use disorders and the ethical considerations of conducting research with incarcerated populations.

His recent publications (2018-2022) demonstrate a consistent focus on civil commitment for opioid use disorder, prisoner healthcare ethics, and mental health policy. These works span multiple high-impact journals including Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, JAMA Psychiatry, and Annals of Internal Medicine, indicating the significance of his contributions to the field. His research often involves collaboration with experts in addiction medicine, public health, and forensic psychiatry.

Dr. Christopher has received recognition for his work through publications in top-tier medical and psychiatric journals, though specific awards are not documented in the available information. His research has informed policy discussions around civil commitment for substance use disorders and ethical considerations in prisoner healthcare.

Dr. Christopher earned his MD from the University of Massachusetts in 2005 and his BA from Wesleyan University in 1998. His educational background has provided the foundation for his dual expertise in clinical psychiatry and health policy research. He maintains active collaborations with researchers across Brown University, particularly in the Department of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior.