Infectious Complications of Addiction: A Call for a New Subspecialty Within Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases (ID) physicians are increasingly responsible for the management of infectious consequences of substance use disorders (SUD). While we are often consulted for diagnosis and treatment of the infectious disease, it is clear that successful management of these infections requires a holistic approach, including acknowledgement and treatment of the underlying SUD. As we have learned through years of treating human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infections, ID physicians have unique expertise in addressing both the infection and the complex biopsychosocial factors that underpin the infection. Many ID physicians have incorporated the management of addiction as part of their scope of practice, and here we seek to give a name and define the role of these ID/addiction dual specialists. We define the potential role of ID/addiction physicians in clinical care, health administration, and research, as well as provide recommendations to bolster the supply and reach of this burgeoning subspecialty.