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Lisham Ashrafioun, Ph.D.

Lisham Ashrafioun, Ph.D.

Contact

Office (585) 273-5050

About Me

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Psychiatry, Research (SMD)

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention;
VA's Advanced Fellowship in Mental Illness Research and Treatment 2014 - 2016

Education

PhD | Bowling Green University. Clinical Psychology. 2014

MA | University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Psychology. 2008

BS | University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Psychology. 2006

Awards

American Pain Society VA/DoD SIG Young Investigator Award. 2019

American pain Society Young Investigator Travel Award. 2019

American Pain Society Young Investigator Travel Award. 2017

American Pain Society Scientific Meeting Early Career Investigator Best Clinical Poster Award. 2017

American Pain Society Young Investigator Travel Award. 2016

Military Suicide Research Consortium Pre-Conference Research Training Day Travel Award. 2015

College on Problems of Drug Dependence Travel Award for Early Career Investigators. 2013

Letter of Commendation. 2012

Dissertation Fellowship Award. 2012 - 2013

Research

Dr. Ashrafioun is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester and a Research Investigator at the VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention at the VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System in Canandaigua. Dr. Ashrafioun is interested in mitigating suicide and ov...
Dr. Ashrafioun is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester and a Research Investigator at the VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention at the VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System in Canandaigua. Dr. Ashrafioun is interested in mitigating suicide and overdose risk among individuals with chronic pain and/or substance use disorders through psychosocial interventions and employing strategies to increase engagement in evidence-based treatments. Recent projects include addressing perceived social isolation and beliefs acting as barriers to treatment to improve overall functioning in individuals with chronic pain and substance use disorders. These clinical studies are informed by his work characterizing suicide and overdose risk in patients using substances and experiencing chronic pain through the use of national survey and administrative medical record data. By characterizing risk in this population, novel intervention targets and gaps in care can be identified to optimize treatments among those experiencing comorbid chronic pain and substance use disorders to enhance pain management, reduce substance use, and decrease suicide and overdose risk. Dr. Ashrafioun's work has been funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Institutes of Health.

Publications

Journal Articles

Differences in the relation of binge drinking and prescription drug misuse to suicide ideation and attempts between college-aged adults and adults above the age of 25: Findings from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Porter AC, Carrasquillo KD, Ashrafioun L

Journal of psychiatric research.. 2024 May 173 :281-285. Epub 03/11/2024.

Opioid use disorder and its association with self-reported difficulties participating in social activities.

Ashrafioun L, Allan NP, Stecker TA

The American journal on addictions. 2022 January 31 (1):46-52. Epub 09/02/2021.

Pain Conditions and Suicide Attempts in Military Veterans: A Case-Control Design.

Boska RL, Bishop TM, Ashrafioun L

Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.. 2021 December 1122 (12):2846-2850. Epub 1900 01 01.

Lonely, anxious, and uncertain: Critical risk factors for suicidal desire during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Allan NP, Volarov M, Koscinski B, Pizzonia KL, Potter K, Accorso C, Saulnier KG, Ashrafioun L, Stecker T, Suhr J, Allan DM

Psychiatry research.. 2021 October 304 :114144. Epub 07/27/2021.

The Relationship Between Pain Severity, Insomnia, and Suicide Attempts Among a National Veteran Sample Initiating Pain Care.

Ashrafioun L, Bishop TM, Pigeon WR

Psychosomatic medicine.. 2021 September 183 (7):733-738. Epub 1900 01 01.

Individual Barriers to Implementation of Whole Health for Pain Management Among Veterans.

Dougherty P, McCarten J, Ashrafioun L

The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy.. 2021 May 27 (5):379-383. Epub 05/04/2021.

Shorter- and Longer-Term Risk for Suicide Among Male US Military Veterans in the Year After Discharge From Psychiatric Hospitalization.

Britton PC, Ilgen MA, Bohnert KM, Ashrafioun L, Kane C, Klein J, Pigeon WR

The Journal of clinical psychiatry.. 2021 February 2382 (2)Epub 02/23/2021.

The next wave? Mental health comorbidities and patients with substance use disorders in under-resourced and rural areas.

Warfield SC, Pack RP, Degenhardt L, Larney S, Bharat C, Ashrafioun L, Marshall BDL, Bossarte RM

Journal of substance abuse treatment.. 2021 February 121 :108189. Epub 11/04/2020.

Opioid use disorders, psychiatric comorbidities, and risk for suicide attempts among veterans seeking pain care.

Ashrafioun L, Zerbo KRA, Bishop TM, Britton PC

Psychological medicine.. 2020 September 50 (12):2107-2112. Epub 09/16/2019.

Sleep, suicide behaviors, and the protective role of sleep medicine.

Bishop TM, Walsh PG, Ashrafioun L, Lavigne JE, Pigeon WR

Sleep medicine.. 2020 February 66 :264-270. Epub 07/25/2019.

Interactive effects of PTSD and substance use on suicidal ideation and behavior in military personnel: Increased risk from marijuana use.

Allan NP, Ashrafioun L, Kolnogorova K, Raines AM, Hoge CW, Stecker T

Depression and anxiety.. 2019 November 36 (11):1072-1079. Epub 09/02/2019.

Clinical characteristics of veterans with gambling disorders seeking pain treatment.

Ashrafioun L, Decker SE, Kraus SW, Ronzitti S

Addictive behaviors.. 2019 August 95 :160-165. Epub 03/22/2019.

The Association of Pain Intensity and Suicide Attempts Among Patients Initiating Pain Specialty Services.

Ashrafioun L, Kane C, Bishop TM, Britton PC, Pigeon WR

The journal of pain.. 2019 July 20 (7):852-859. Epub 01/25/2019.

The relationship between past 12-month suicidality and reasons for prescription opioid misuse.

Ashrafioun L, Heavey S, Canarapen T, Bishop TM, Pigeon WR

Journal of affective disorders.. 2019 April 15249 :45-51. Epub 02/06/2019.

Sex differences in binge drinking and suicide attempts in a nationally representative sample.

Kittel JA, Bishop TM, Ashrafioun L

General hospital psychiatry.. 2019 60 :6-11. Epub 06/27/2019.

Clinical Pain-related Outcomes and Inflammatory Cytokine Response to Pain Following Insomnia Improvement in Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Heffner KL, France CR, Ashrafioun L, Quiñones M, Walsh P, Maloney MD, Giordano BD, Pigeon WR

The Clinical journal of pain.. 2018 December 34 (12):1133-1140. Epub 1900 01 01.

The associations between suicidality and mental health factors and pain interference in veterans being referred to primary care mental health integration.

Ashrafioun L, Leong SH, Pigeon WR, Oslin DW

Psychiatry research.. 2018 November 269 :264-270. Epub 08/18/2018.

The association between perceived distress tolerance and cannabis use problems, cannabis withdrawal symptoms, and self-efficacy for quitting cannabis: The explanatory role of pain-related affective distress.

Manning K, Rogers AH, Bakhshaie J, Hogan JBD, Buckner JD, Ditre JW, Zvolensky MJ

Addictive behaviors.. 2018 October 85 :1-7. Epub 05/19/2018.

Utilization of complementary and integrative health services and opioid therapy by patients receiving Veterans Health Administration pain care.

Ashrafioun L, Allen KD, Pigeon WR

Complementary therapies in medicine.. 2018 August 39 :8-13. Epub 05/18/2018.

The Association Between Sleep Apnea and Suicidal Thought and Behavior: An Analysis of National Survey Data.

Bishop TM, Ashrafioun L, Pigeon WR

The Journal of clinical psychiatry.. 2018 79 (1)Epub 1900 01 01.

Alcohol and Suicide Risk: Examining the Role of Meaning-Making.

Kopacz MS, Bryan CJ, Bishop TM, Ashrafioun L

Journal of dual diagnosis.. 2018 14 (4):220-227. Epub 11/19/2018.

Sleep disturbances as predictors of prolonged exposure therapy effectiveness among veterans with PTSD.

Sexton MB, Avallone KM, Smith ER, Porter KE, Ashrafioun L, Todd Arnedt J, Rauch SAM

Psychiatry research.. 2017 October 256 :118-123. Epub 06/14/2017.

Frequency of prescription opioid misuse and suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts.

Ashrafioun L, Bishop TM, Conner KR, Pigeon WR

Journal of psychiatric research.. 2017 September 92 :1-7. Epub 03/19/2017.

Characteristics of university students who mix alcohol and energy drinks.

Bonar EE, Green MR, Ashrafioun L

Journal of American college health : J of ACH.. 2017 65 (4):288-293. Epub 01/13/2017.

Prescription Opioid Craving: Relationship With Pain and Substance Use-Related Characteristics.

Ashrafioun L

Substance use & misuse.. 2016 September 1851 (11):1512-20. Epub 06/29/2016.

Physical Pain and History of Suicidal Behaviors in Alcohol-Dependent Patients Entering Treatment in Poland.

Jakubczyk A, Ashrafioun L, Ilgen M, Kopera M, Klimkiewicz A, Krasowska A, Solowiej M, Brower KJ, Wojnar M

Substance use & misuse.. 2016 August 2351 (10):1307-17. Epub 05/25/2016.

Suicide attempts among alcohol-dependent pain patients before and after an inpatient hospitalization.

Ashrafioun L, Kane C, Stephens B, Britton PC, Conner KR

Drug and alcohol dependence.. 2016 June 1163 :209-15. Epub 04/25/2016.

Attitudes and Beliefs About the Acceptability and Justness of Peer Victimization of Lesbian and Gay University Students.

Bradbury SL, Davis AK, Leith J, Hinman N, Ashrafioun L, Burmeister JM, Dworsky D

Journal of homosexuality.. 2016 June 63 (6):808-20. Epub 10/29/2015.

(133) Suicide attempts among alcohol-dependent pain patients before and after inpatient hospitalization.

Ashrafioun L, Britton P, Kane C, Stephens B, Conner K

The journal of pain.. 2016 April 17 (4S):S9. Epub 03/24/2016.

Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among veterans in primary care referred for a mental health evaluation.

Ashrafioun L, Pigeon WR, Conner KR, Leong SH, Oslin DW

Journal of affective disorders.. 2016 January 1189 :344-50. Epub 09/28/2015.

Health attitudes and suicidal ideation among university students.

Ashrafioun L, Bonar E, Conner KR

Journal of American college health : J of ACH.. 2016 64 (3):256-60. Epub 1900 01 01.

Evaluation of knowledge and confidence following opioid overdose prevention training: A comparison of types of training participants and naloxone administration methods.

Ashrafioun L, Gamble S, Herrmann M, Baciewicz G

Substance abuse.. 2016 37 (1):76-81. Epub 10/29/2015.

Patterns of Use, Acute Subjective Experiences, and Motivations for Using Synthetic Cathinones ("Bath Salts") in Recreational Users.

Ashrafioun L, Bonadio FA, Baik KD, Bradbury SL, Carhart VL, Cross NA, Davis AK, Feuille M, Harper AR, Lackey JH, Lang B, Lauritsen KJ, Leith J, Osborn LA, Rosenberg H, Stock J, Zaturenskaya M

Journal of psychoactive drugs.. 2016 48 (5):336-343. Epub 09/28/2016.

Comorbid depression and alcohol use disorders and prospective risk for suicide attempt in the year following inpatient hospitalization.

Britton PC, Stephens B, Wu J, Kane C, Gallegos A, Ashrafioun L, Tu X, Conner KR

Journal of affective disorders.. 2015 November 15187 :151-5. Epub 08/25/2015.

Evaluation of the current opioid misuse measure among substance use disorder treatment patients.

Ashrafioun L, Bohnert AS, Jannausch M, Ilgen MA

Journal of substance abuse treatment.. 2015 August 55 :15-20. Epub 03/12/2015.

Characteristics of substance use disorder treatment patients using medical cannabis for pain.

Ashrafioun L, Bohnert KM, Jannausch M, Ilgen MA

Addictive behaviors.. 2015 March 42 :185-8. Epub 11/26/2014.

Psychometric assessment of the craving to tan questionnaire.

Ashrafioun L, Bonar EE

The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse.. 2015 January 41 (1):74-81. Epub 08/20/2014.

Psychometric evaluation of the Marijuana Reduction Strategies Self-Efficacy Scale with young recreational marijuana users.

Davis AK, Osborn LA, Rosenberg H, Cross N, Lauritsen KJ, Ashrafioun L, Bradbury S, Feuille M, Lackey JH, Hawley A, Leith J

Addictive behaviors.. 2014 December 39 (12):1750-4. Epub 07/09/2014.

Implicit bias about weight and weight loss treatment outcomes.

Carels RA, Hinman NG, Hoffmann DA, Burmeister JM, Borushok JE, Marx JM, Ashrafioun L

Eating behaviors.. 2014 December 15 (4):648-53. Epub 09/16/2014.

Synthetic cannabinoid use among patients in residential substance use disorder treatment: prevalence, motives, and correlates.

Bonar EE, Ashrafioun L, Ilgen MA

Drug and alcohol dependence.. 2014 October 1143 :268-71. Epub 07/17/2014.

Positive posttraumatic stress disorder screens among first-time medical cannabis patients: prevalence and association with other substance use.

Bohnert KM, Perron BE, Ashrafioun L, Kleinberg F, Jannausch M, Ilgen MA

Addictive behaviors.. 2014 October 39 (10):1414-7. Epub 06/02/2014.

Nonmedical use of pain medications in dental patients.

Ashrafioun L, Edwards PC, Bohnert AS, Ilgen MA

The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse.. 2014 July 40 (4):312-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

Tired winners: the effects of cognitive resources and prior winning on risky decision making.

Kostek J, Ashrafioun L

Journal of gambling studies. 2014 June 30 (2):423-34. Epub 1900 01 01.

Development and evaluation of the Marijuana Reduction Strategies Self-Efficacy Scale.

Davis AK, Osborn LA, Leith J, Rosenberg H, Ashrafioun L, Hawley A, Bannon EE, Jesse S, Kraus S, Kryszak E, Cross N, Carhart V, Baik KD

Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors.. 2014 June 28 (2):575-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Nicotine and methamphetamine disrupt habituation of sensory reinforcer effectiveness in male rats.

Lloyd DR, Hausknecht KA, Richards JB

Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology.. 2014 April 22 (2):166-75. Epub 1900 01 01.

Prescription opioid use among university students: assessment of post-cue exposure craving.

Ashrafioun L, Carels RA

Addictive behaviors.. 2014 March 39 (3):586-92. Epub 11/25/2013.

Tanning addiction and psychopathology: Further evaluation of anxiety disorders and substance abuse.

Ashrafioun L, Bonar EE

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.. 2014 March 70 (3):473-80. Epub 12/25/2013.

Development of a brief scale to assess frequency of symptoms and problems associated with tanning.

Ashrafioun L, Bonar EE

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.. 2014 March 70 (3):588-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

A randomized trial comparing two approaches to weight loss: differences in weight loss maintenance.

Carels RA, Burmeister JM, Koball AM, Oehlhof MW, Hinman N, LeRoy M, Bannon E, Ashrafioun L, Storfer-Isser A, Darby LA, Gumble A

Journal of health psychology.. 2014 February 19 (2):296-311. Epub 01/24/2013.

Stereotypical images and implicit weight bias in overweight/obese people.

Carels RA, Hinman NG, Burmeister JM, Hoffmann DA, Ashrafioun L, Koball AM

Eating and weight disorders : EWD.. 2013 December 18 (4):441-5. Epub 09/21/2013.

Further evaluation of the construct, convergent and criterion validity of the Gambling Urge Scale with university-student gamblers.

Ashrafioun L, Rosenberg H, Cross NA, Brian TJ

The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse.. 2013 September 39 (5):326-31. Epub 07/09/2013.

Assessing post-cue exposure craving and its association with amount wagered in an optional betting task.

Ashrafioun L, Kostek J, Ziegelmeyer E

Journal of behavioral addictions.. 2013 September 2 (3):133-7. Epub 06/14/2013.

Evaluation of the criterion and predictive validity of the Alcohol Reduction Strategies-Current Confidence (ARS-CC) in a natural drinking environment.

Hoffmann E, Davis AK, Ashrafioun L, Kraus SW, Rosenberg H, Bannon EE, Kryszak E, Carhart V, Baik K, Jesse S

Addictive behaviors.. 2013 April 38 (4):1940-3. Epub 01/09/2013.

Step-down approach to behavioural weight loss treatment: a pilot of a randomised clinical trial.

Carels RA, Hoffmann DA, Hinman N, Burmeister JM, Koball A, Ashrafioun L, Oehlhof MW, Bannon E, Leroy M, Darby L

Psychology & health.. 2013 28 (10):1121-34. Epub 04/22/2013.

Habituation and the reinforcing effectiveness of visual stimuli.

Lloyd DR, Gancarz AM, Ashrafioun L, Kausch MA, Richards JB

Behavioural processes.. 2012 October 91 (2):184-91. Epub 07/31/2012.

Assessing the impact of cue exposure on craving to gamble in university students.

Ashrafioun L, McCarthy A, Rosenberg H

Journal of gambling studies. 2012 September 28 (3):363-75. Epub 1900 01 01.

Methods of assessing craving to gamble: a narrative review.

Ashrafioun L, Rosenberg H

Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors.. 2012 September 26 (3):536-49. Epub 11/28/2011.

Exploratory studies in sensory reinforcement in male rats: effects of methamphetamine.

Gancarz AM, Ashrafioun L, San George MA, Hausknecht KA, Hawk LW, Richards JB

Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology.. 2012 February 20 (1):16-27. Epub 09/26/2011.

Assessing self-efficacy to reduce one's drinking: further evaluation of the Alcohol Reduction Strategies-Current Confidence questionnaire.

Kraus SW, Rosenberg H, Bonar EE, Hoffmann E, Kryszak E, Young KM, Ashrafioun L, Bannon EE

Alcohol and alcoholism : international journal of the Medical Council on Alcoholism.. 2012 47 (3):312-6. Epub 01/25/2012.

Practices, perceptions, and concerns of primary care physicians about opioid dependence associated with the treatment of chronic pain.

Keller CE, Ashrafioun L, Neumann AM, Van Klein J, Fox CH, Blondell RD

Substance abuse.. 2012 33 (2):103-13. Epub 1900 01 01.

Development of a questionnaire to assess university students' intentions to use behavioral alcohol-reduction strategies.

Bonar EE, Hoffmann E, Rosenberg H, Kryszak E, Young KM, Ashrafioun L, Kraus SW, Bannon EE

Journal of American college health : J of ACH.. 2012 60 (5):395-402. Epub 1900 01 01.

Parental prescription opioid abuse and the impact on children.

Ashrafioun L, Dambra CM, Blondell RD

The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse.. 2011 November 37 (6):532-6. Epub 08/18/2011.

A randomized trial of two behavioral interventions to improve outcomes following inpatient detoxification for alcohol dependence.

Blondell RD, Frydrych LM, Jaanimagi U, Ashrafioun L, Homish GG, Foschio EM, Bashaw HL

Journal of addictive diseases.. 2011 April 30 (2):136-48. Epub 1900 01 01.

Measuring university students' self-efficacy to use drinking self-control strategies.

Bonar EE, Rosenberg H, Hoffmann E, Kraus SW, Kryszak E, Young KM, Ashrafioun L, Pavlick M, Bannon EE

Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors.. 2011 March 25 (1):155-61. Epub 1900 01 01.

Locomotor activity in a novel environment predicts both responding for a visual stimulus and self-administration of a low dose of methamphetamine in rats.

Gancarz AM, San George MA, Ashrafioun L, Richards JB

Behavioural processes.. 2011 February 86 (2):295-304. Epub 01/05/2011.

Assessing university students' self-efficacy to employ alcohol-related harm reduction strategies.

Rosenberg H, Bonar EE, Hoffmann E, Kryszak E, Young KM, Kraus SW, Ashrafioun L, Bannon EE, Pavlick M

Journal of American college health : J of ACH.. 2011 59 (8):736-42. Epub 1900 01 01.

A Clinical Trial Comparing Tapering Doses of Buprenorphine with Steady Doses for Chronic Pain and Co-existent Opioid Addiction.

Blondell RD, Ashrafioun L, Dambra CM, Foschio EM, Zielinski AL, Salcedo DM

Journal of addiction medicine.. 2010 September 4 (3):140-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

Prescription opioid use among patients seeking treatment for opioid dependence.

Canfield MC, Keller CE, Frydrych LM, Ashrafioun L, Purdy CH, Blondell RD

Journal of addiction medicine.. 2010 June 4 (2):108-13. Epub 1900 01 01.

Treating opioid dependency and coexistent chronic nonmalignant pain.

Blondell RD, Ashrafioun L

American family physician.. 2008 November 1578 (10):1132-3. Epub 1900 01 01.