Thomas E Freese

Thomas E Freese is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. His work focuses on substance abuse treatment, contingency management, and behavioral interventions for addiction.

Dr. Freese's research interests span several critical areas in addiction science:

• Development and implementation of contingency management interventions for substance use disorders
• Strategies for improving engagement and retention in addiction treatment
• Telehealth applications in substance use disorder treatment
• Culturally adapted interventions for diverse populations including Tribal communities
• Integration of substance use treatment with other healthcare services
• Policy implementation related to addiction treatment services

His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on translating research into practice, with particular emphasis on evidence-based approaches to substance use disorder treatment. Recent work has addressed the implementation of recovery incentives programs in California, telehealth service utilization during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the application of contingency management approaches in diverse settings including Tribal communities. His research often involves collaborative efforts with state agencies and treatment providers to bridge the gap between research and real-world practice.

Dr. Freese has served as Principal Investigator on significant NIH-funded projects including the Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center, which focused on disseminating evidence-based practices to treatment providers in the region.

His work has contributed to advancing the field of addiction treatment through both clinical research and implementation science, with a particular focus on making evidence-based practices accessible and effective in diverse treatment settings.