Scientific Advisory Board, Addiction Policy Forum
Dr. Mark S. Gold is a renowned American addiction psychiatrist and researcher, recognized for his groundbreaking work in the field of addiction medicine, particularly relating to the neurobiology of addiction. His research has significantly contributed to the understanding of how addictive substances affect the brain, and he has been instrumental in developing treatment models for various substance use disorders.
Dr. Gold began his career in the late 1970s, gaining prominence for his work on the role of the brain’s opioid system in addiction. His early research laid the foundation for understanding the brain’s reward pathways and how they are altered by substances such as opioids, cocaine, and nicotine. He is perhaps best known for his pioneering studies on cocaine and food addiction, leading to innovative approaches to treating addiction as a brain disease.
Throughout his career, Dr. Gold has held numerous academic and clinical leadership positions. He was a Distinguished Alumni Professor at the University of Florida, where he led the McKnight Brain Institute's Psychiatry division and later co-founded the University of Florida’s Center for Addiction Research. His work at the University of Florida helped shape addiction treatment protocols nationally and internationally.
Dr. Gold is also a prolific writer, having authored or co-authored over 1,000 scientific articles, books, and book chapters on addiction. His extensive research has influenced medical education, the development of new therapies for addiction, and public health policies aimed at addressing the opioid crisis.
In addition to his academic and clinical work, Dr. Gold is a sought-after speaker and consultant, known for his ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to both professional audiences and the general public. He continues to be actively involved in addiction research, treatment, and education, influencing future generations of addiction specialists.
Dr. Gold has received the APA’s Foundation Fund Award, Addiction Policy Forum's Pillar of Excellence Award, DEA & NAATP’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Research, and Distinguished Alumni Awards from Yale, WUSTL, and the University of Florida. He was a Founding Editor of the Journal of Addiction Medicine & UpToDate. Currently, the Specialty Chief Editor of SUDs and Behavioral Addictions in Frontiers in Public Health.
Since his retirement as a full-time academic in 2014, Dr. Mark Gold has continued his teaching, mentoring, research, and writing as a University of Florida Emeritus Eminent Scholar, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University and an active member of the Clinical Council at the Washington University School of Medicine’s Public Health Institute.
Dr. Gold remains a leading voice in the fight against addiction, advocating for better treatments, prevention strategies, and greater awareness of the science behind addiction disorders.
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