Dr. Blanco is an internationally known expert in the epidemiology and treatment of addictive disorders with and without comorbid disorders. His accomplishments include, among others, a detailed examination of the course and stages of substance use disorders, the development of methods to quantify the generalizability of clinical trials, the development and testing of interventions that combine motivational interviewing with cognitive-behavioral therapy to improve retention and outcome in individuals with addictive disorders, and the creation of a virtual map of psychiatric disorders, based on empirical data, to guide research into the causes of mental disorders. Dr. Blanco was a Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and a Research Psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He is a graduate of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) and completed his psychiatry residency at Columbia University, where he also completed a research fellowship. Dr. Blanco has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications.
Key Research Publications
Below are select publications that directly inform the evidence-based approaches available at WBMA. Each represents Dr. Blanco’s contribution to advancing the understanding and treatment of psychiatric and addictive disorders.
- Substance use disorders: a comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention
World Psychiatry, 2023 – A wide-ranging review examining how biological, genetic, and social factors contribute to substance use disorders, along with current evidence on behavioral therapies, medications, and prevention strategies that may support recovery and reduce risk. | View Publication
- The changing opioid crisis: development, challenges and opportunities
Molecular Psychiatry, 2021 – A review of the evolving opioid epidemic in the United States, exploring the neurobiology of opioid use disorder, available medication-assisted approaches, and public health prevention strategies that may help address this ongoing challenge. | View Publication
- Cannabis use and risk of prescription opioid use disorder in the United States
American Journal of Psychiatry, 2018 – A prospective national study examining the relationship between cannabis use and subsequent prescription opioid use disorder, contributing to a more complete understanding of co-occurring substance use patterns among U.S. adults. | View Publication
- Prevalence, treatment, and unmet treatment needs of U.S. adults with mental health and substance use disorders
Health Affairs, 2017 – Drawing on data from over 325,000 adults, this study examines patterns of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and identifies significant gaps in access to care – findings that continue to shape policy and clinical priorities. | View Publication
- Psychiatric disorders and risk for multiple adverse outcomes: a national prospective study
Psychological Medicine – A longitudinal national study exploring how psychiatric diagnoses relate to a range of downstream adverse outcomes, informing integrated approaches to mental health assessment and long-term care planning. | View Publication
- Approximating defense mechanisms in a national study of adults: prevalence and correlates with functioning
Translational Psychiatry, 2023 – An examination of how psychological defense mechanisms operate at the population level and their association with overall functioning – research with implications for psychotherapy practice and understanding mental health resilience. | View Publication
- Living alone and suicide risk in the United States, 2008-2019
American Journal of Public Health, 2022 – A large-scale study linking social isolation and living arrangements to suicide risk across more than a decade of national data, highlighting the importance of addressing loneliness as part of comprehensive mental health care. | View Publication
- Opportunities for advancing science to inform tobacco regulation in an evolving tobacco landscape
Molecular Psychiatry, 2025 – A forward-looking analysis of how evolving tobacco and nicotine product use intersects with addiction science and public health regulation, reflecting Dr. Blanco’s ongoing contributions to national substance use policy. | View Publication
- Vulnerable populations and substance use prevention service delivery for the mental health professional
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 2024 – A clinically oriented review of how social and biological risk factors across the lifespan contribute to substance use, offering mental health professionals a framework for prevention-focused care. | View Publication
- Comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol dependence among U.S. adults: results from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2013 – A national study quantifying the overlap between PTSD and alcohol dependence, informing integrated treatment approaches for patients managing both conditions simultaneously. | View Publication
