John Tsuang, M.D. Director, Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my site. I am the director of the Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and a Clinical Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. I specialize in the treatment of adults and teenagers who are experiencing substance abuse, emotional, and/or behavioral problems.

I am an expert in teaching and using Subutex and Suboxone in the treatment of people addicted to various opiates. I can detoxify people addicted to pain pills or heroin, as well as treat them chronically by prescribing Suboxone. I also use Suboxone for the treatment of chronic pain and other pain-related conditions.

Training & Credentials

I received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology from Wheaton College in Chicago. I obtained my medical degree (M.D.) and a Master of Science degree (M.S.) from the University of Iowa. I went on to complete my psychiatry residency training at UCSD and an additional 2 year addiction fellowship training at the San Diego VA Medical Center and UCSD. I am licensed to practice medicine in the State of California and I am board certified in Psychiatry as well as in Addiction Medicine (ASAM). I am also certified to use suboxone and/or subutex for opioid detoxification and chronic maintenance.

My professional interests focus on the pharmacological treatment and psychosocial rehabilitation for dual diagnosis (concurrent drug/alcohol & psychiatric disorders). I have extensive experiences in treating and teaching areas relating to chemical dependency, addictive disorders, psychopharmacology, and psychosocial treatment. I have published more than 60 articles and have greater than 100 academic presentations. I am on the editorial boards of several journals. I have received numerous teaching and patient care awards. Most recently I was awarded the United States NAMI National’s Exemplary Psychiatrist Award, as well as the NAMI’s Peggy and Don Richardson Memorial Award.

Curriculum Vitae

John W. Tsuang, M.D., M.S.

  • Clinical Professor (Compensated), Step IV, UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Los Angeles, CA
  • Director of Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program, Harbor/UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA

Board Certification:

  • American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, 1993
  • ASAM Certified Addiction Specialist, Recertified 2015

Academic Honors:

  • 1997 – Selected as UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Outstanding Medical Student Teacher of the Year
  • 1998 – Selected as an Outstanding Junior Investigators to present at the APA Research Colloquium 5/98
  • 2002 – Winner of College on Problems of Drug Dependence and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Travel Award in Quebec, Canada, 2002
  • 2004 – Selected NAMI National’s 2004 Exemplary Psychiatrist Award for Exemplary Training Program, Award given at 2004 annual APA meeting
  • 2005 – NAMI’s Peggy and Don Richardson Memorial Award, 2005

Academic Responsibilities:

  • Reviewer for Journal of Psychiatric Research, European Journal of Psychiatry, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Journal, Schizophrenia Bulletin, Journal of American Medical Association, Reviewer for Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Journal of Studies on Alcohol. Examiner, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Part II, oral exam

Research Grants:

  • 1998-2000, Principal Investigator: “Treatment of Olanzapine with Haloperidol for Schizophrenic Patients with Substance Dependence”
  • 1999-2000, Principal Investigator: “Single Blind Comparison of Clozapine versus Fluphenazine for Schizophrenic Patients with Substance Dependence”, VA Merit II grants
  • 2001-2006, Principal Investigator: “MR Spectroscopic Analysis of Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Abuse”, K23, MH01813-01a2
  • 2001-2004, Principal Investigator: “A Pilot Study of MR spectroscopy in Bipolar Depressions”, Glaxo Smith-Kline funding
  • 2004-2009, Co-Investigator, “ Alcohol Pharmacogenetics in Mexican American”, NIAAA, Project #11996-01-00
  • 2005-2007, Co-Investigator (Harbor): “Acupunture for the Treatment of Methamphetamine Withdrawal: Nitric Oxide Mechanisms”, Harbor/UCLA Seed Grant
  • 2011-2013, Principle Investigator: Phase I Safety interaction Trial of Ibudilast with Methamphetamine, NIDA grant
  • 2011-2014, Principle Investigator: Varenicline for methamphetamine dependence, NIDA grant.

Publications:

  • More than 64 publications on topics related to substance abuse issues such as pharmacology and psychosocial treatment of dual diagnosis patients, treatment of alcoholism and methamphetamine addiction, and studies on opioid addictions.

National Academic Presentations:

  • Director, CME course at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting for 16 years; multiple workshop presentations for National Meetings for addiction related issues; panel member at APA National Meeting.

Grand Round Presentations:

  • More than 300 Grand Round Presentation at academic centers nationally and internationally.

Additional Skills

I am fluent in Taiwanese and Chinese. I have treated many Asians who have difficulty due to language barriers.

Policies

In addition to my usual duties, I have a small private practice at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. When you call me, please leave your name, phone number and the best time for me to return your call. You can expect that I will return your phone call within 24 hours. You can expect that we will have 5-10 minutes telephone discussion to briefly talk about what the issues of concern are and whether a formal evaluation would be helpful.

A formal evaluation usually will last 55 minutes, during which time you will be asked about various aspects of your life. If necessary, I will also order appropriate medical tests, such as blood tests and urine tests.

Follow-up sessions usually last 25 minutes and they may occur from weekly to monthly.

Fees/Insurance

I work on a sliding scale and payment is due at the time of treatment (cash or check).

If you have questions regarding your fee, please call or email me and we can discuss this further. I am considered an “out of network” physician for PPO insurance plans. I can provide you with a statement that can be sent to your insurance company for reimbursement of a portion of your fee. Please contact your insurance company for details on benefits for an “out of network” provider.

Contact Information

  • Phone Number: (310) 613-1168
  • Email: johntsuang@yahoo.com
  • Work Address: 1000 West Carson Street, Building B3, Torrance, CA, 90509