Walter Ling, M.D.

Professor, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences

Founding Director, Integrated Substance Abuse Program

Member, Brain Research Institute

Biography

Walter Ling, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry and Founding Director of the Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP) at UCLA, one of the foremost substance abuse research groups in the United States and worldwide. He is board certified in neurology and psychiatry, is active in research and clinical work, and has been listed in "Best Doctors in America," "Best Doctors in the West," and "Best Doctors in Los Angeles." Dr. Ling's research in pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction provided pivotal information for the approval of LAAM, naltrexone, and buprenorphine. His research projects have included investigations of medications for the treatment of opioid, cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis use disorders, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and treatment of pain in opioid-maintained patients. Dr. Ling has extended ISAP's research beyond the United States to Asia and the Middle East, and he has led or participated in international training efforts in 15 countries to advance addiction medicine and addiction research. As Principal Investigator of the Pacific Region Node of the NIDA Clinical Trial Network (CTN), Dr. Ling most recently completed a multi-site clinical trial using a medication combination of extended-release naltrexone with daily bupropion for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorders. This project used a novel stepped approach for and enhanced methods for confirming medication adherence including daily dosing videos captured with Smartphones sent by study participants to the study team. Dr. Ling's current and future research projects will continue to examine potential and promising methods for the treatment of substance use disorders.

Ling Walter, Casadonte Paul, Bigelow George, Kampman Kyle M, Patkar Ashwin, Bailey Genie L, Rosenthal Richard N, Beebe Katherine L   Buprenorphine implants for treatment of opioid dependence: a randomized controlled trial JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association, 2010; 304(14): 1576-83.

Compton Peggy, Kehoe Priscilla, Sinha Karabi, Torrington Matt A, Ling Walter   Gabapentin improves cold-pressor pain responses in methadone-maintained patients Drug and alcohol dependence, 2010; 109(1-3): 213-9.

Ling Walter   Buprenorphine for opioid dependence Expert review of neurotherapeutics, 2009; 9(5): 609-16.

Shoptaw Steven J, Kao Uyen, Heinzerling Keith, Ling Walter   Treatment for amphetamine withdrawal Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online), 2009; 9(2): CD003021.

Ling Walter, Hillhouse Maureen, Domier Catherine, Doraimani Geetha, Hunter Jeremy, Thomas Christie, Jenkins Jessica, Hasson Albert, Annon Jeffrey, Saxon Andrew, Selzer Jeffrey, Boverman Joshua, Bilangi Richard   Buprenorphine tapering schedule and illicit opioid use Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2009; 104(2): 256-65.

Yu Elmer, Miotto Karen, Akerele Evaristo, Montgomery Ann, Elkashef Ahmed, Walsh Robert, Montoya Ivan, Fischman Marian W, Collins Joseph, McSherry Frances, Boardman Kathy, Davies David K, O'Brien Charles P, Ling Walter, Kleber Herbert, Herman Barbara H   A Phase 3 placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-site trial of the alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, lofexidine, for opioid withdrawal Drug and alcohol dependence, 2008; 97(1-2): 158-68.

Compton Peggy A, Ling Walter, Torrington Matt A   Lack of effect of chronic dextromethorphan on experimental pain tolerance in methadone-maintained patients Addiction biology, 2008; 13(3-4): 393-402.

Shoptaw Steven, Heinzerling Keith G, Rotheram-Fuller Erin, Steward Trevor, Wang Jason, Swanson Aimee-Noelle, De La Garza Richard, Newton Tom, Ling Walter   Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bupropion for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence Drug and alcohol dependence, 2008; 96(3): 222-32.

Humeniuk Rachel, Ali Robert, Babor Thomas F, Farrell Michael, Formigoni Maria L, Jittiwutikarn Jaroon, de Lacerda Roseli B, Ling Walter, Marsden John, Monteiro Maristela, Nhiwatiwa Sekai, Pal Hemraj, Poznyak Vladimir, Simon Sara   Validation of the Alcohol, Smoking And Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2008; 103(6): 1039-47.

Yu Elmer, Miotto Karen, Akerele Evaristo, O'Brien Charles P, Ling Walter, Kleber Herbert, Fischman Marian W, Elkashef Ahmed, Herman Barbara H, Al-Ghananeem Abeer M   Clinical pharmacokinetics of lofexidine, the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist, in opiate addicts plasma using a highly sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric analysis The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 2008; 34(5): 611-6.

Astrup Arne, Greenway Frank L, Ling Walter, Pedicone Lisa, Lachowicz Jean, Strader Catherine D, Kwan Rudolf, Kwan Rudolf   Randomized controlled trials of the D1/D5 antagonist ecopipam for weight loss in obese subjects Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 2007; 15(7): 1717-31.

Rawson Richard A, Gonzales Rachel, McCann Michael, Ling Walter   Use of methamphetamine by young people: is there reason for concern? Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2007; 102(7): 1021-2.

Compton Peggy, Ling Walter, Chiang C Nora, Moody David E, Huber Alice, Ling Debbie, Charuvastra Charles   Pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine: a comparison of sublingual tablet versus liquid after chronic dosing Journal of addiction medicine, 2007; 1(2): 88-95.

Torrington Matthew, Domier Catherine P, Hillhouse Maureen, Ling Walter   Buprenorphine 101: treating opioid dependence with buprenorphine in an office-based setting Journal of addictive diseases, 2007; 26(3): 93-9.

Elkashef Ahmed, Rawson Richard A, Smith Edwina, Pearce Valerie, Flammino Frank, Campbell Jan, Donovick Roger, Gorodetzky Charles, Haning William, Mawhinney Joseph, McCann Michael, Weis Dennis, Williams Lorie, Ling Walter, Vocci Frank   The NIDA Methamphetamine Clinical Trials Group: a strategy to increase clinical trials research capacity Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2007; 102 Suppl 1(2): 107-13.

Heinzerling Keith G, Shoptaw Steven, Peck James A, Yang Xiaowei, Liu Juanmei, Roll John, Ling Walter   Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of baclofen and gabapentin for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence Drug and alcohol dependence, 2006; 85(3): 177-84.

Shoptaw Steven, Huber Alice, Peck James, Yang Xiaowei, Liu Juanmei, Jeff Dang Juanmei, Roll John, Shapiro Benjamin, Rotheram-Fuller Erin, Ling Walter   Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of sertraline and contingency management for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence Drug and alcohol dependence, 2006; 85(1): 12-8.

Venneman Sandy, Leuchter Andrew, Bartzokis George, Beckson Mace, Simon Sara L, Schaefer Melodie, Rawson Richard, Newton Tom, Cook Ian A, Uijtdehaage Sebastian, Ling Walter   Variation in neurophysiological function and evidence of quantitative electroencephalogram discordance: predicting cocaine-dependent treatment attrition The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 2006; 18(2): 208-16.

Rawson Richard A, McCann Michael J, Flammino Frank, Shoptaw Steven, Miotto Karen, Reiber Chris, Ling Walter   A comparison of contingency management and cognitive-behavioral approaches for stimulant-dependent individuals Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2006; 101(2): 267-74.

Athanasos Peter, Smith Charlotte S, White Jason M, Somogyi Andrew A, Bochner Felix, Ling Walter   Methadone maintenance patients are cross-tolerant to the antinociceptive effects of very high plasma morphine concentrations Pain, 2006; 120(3): 267-75.

London Edythe D, Berman Steven M, Voytek Bradley, Simon Sara L, Mandelkern Mark A, Monterosso John, Thompson Paul M, Brody Arthur L, Geaga Jennifer A, Hong Michael S, Hayashi Kiralee M, Rawson Richard A, Ling Walter   Cerebral metabolic dysfunction and impaired vigilance in recently abstinent methamphetamine abusers Biological psychiatry, 2005; 58(10): 770-8.

Vocci Frank, Ling Walter   Medications development: successes and challenges Pharmacology & therapeutics, 2005; 108(1): 94-108.

Newton Thomas F, Kalechstein Ari D, De La Garza Richard, Cutting Daniel J, Ling Walter   Apathy predicts hedonic but not craving response to cocaine Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 2005; 82(1): 236-40.

Ling Walter, Amass Leslie, Shoptaw Steve, Annon Jeffrey J, Hillhouse Maureen, Babcock Dean, Brigham Greg, Harrer Judy, Reid Malcolm, Muir Joan, Buchan Betty, Orr Debbie, Woody George, Krejci Jonathan, Ziedonis Douglas, Ziedonis Douglas   A multi-center randomized trial of buprenorphine-naloxone versus clonidine for opioid detoxification: findings from the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2005; 100(8): 1090-100.

Voytek Bradley, Berman Steven M, Hassid B Daniel, Simon Sara L, Mandelkern Mark A, Brody Arthur L, Monterosso John, Ling Walter, London Edythe D   Differences in regional brain metabolism associated with marijuana abuse in methamphetamine abusers Synapse (New York, N.Y.), 2005; 57(2): 113-5.

Raisch Dennis W, Fudala Paul J, Saxon Andrew J, Walsh Robert, Casadonte Paul, Ling Walter, Johnson Bankole A, Malkerneker Usha, Ordorica Patricia, Williford William O, Sather Mike R   Pharmacists' and technicians' perceptions and attitudes toward dispensing buprenorphine/ naloxone to patients with opioid dependence Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, 2005; 45(1): 23-32.

Shoptaw Steven, Watson Donnie W, Reiber Chris, Rawson Richard A, Montgomery Margaret A, Majewska Maria D, Ling Walter   Randomized controlled pilot trial of cabergoline, hydergine and levodopa/carbidopa: Los Angeles Cocaine Rapid Efficacy Screening Trial (CREST) Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2005; 100 Suppl 1(2): 78-90.

Humeniuk Rachel, Ali Robert, Ling Walter   Substance use and treatment options in Cambodia Drug and alcohol review, 2004; 23(3): 365-7.

Newton Thomas F, Kalechstein Ari D, Duran Sonia, Vansluis Nicolette, Ling Walter   Methamphetamine abstinence syndrome: preliminary findings The American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions, 2004; 13(3): 248-55.

Thompson Paul M, Hayashi Kiralee M, Simon Sara L, Geaga Jennifer A, Hong Michael S, Sui Yihong, Lee Jessica Y, Toga Arthur W, Ling Walter, London Edythe D   Structural abnormalities in the brains of human subjects who use methamphetamine The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 2004; 24(26): 6028-36.

Ling Walter, Cunningham-Rathner Jerry, Rawson Richard   Diffusion of substance abuse treatment: will buprenorphine be a success? Journal of psychoactive drugs, 2004; Suppl 2(2): 115-7.

Shoptaw Steve, Majewska Maria Dorota, Wilkins Jeffery, Twitchell Geoffrey, Yang Xiaowei, Ling Walter   Participants receiving dehydroepiandrosterone during treatment for cocaine dependence show high rates of cocaine use in a placebo-controlled pilot study Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 2004; 12(2): 126-35.

Amass Leslie, Ling Walter, Freese Thomas E, Reiber Chris, Annon Jeffrey J, Cohen Allan J, McCarty Dennis, Reid Malcolm S, Brown Lawrence S, Clark Cynthia, Ziedonis Douglas M, Krejci Jonathan, Stine Susan, Winhusen Theresa, Brigham Greg, Babcock Dean, Muir Joan A, Buchan Betty J, Horton Terry   Bringing buprenorphine-naloxone detoxification to community treatment providers: the NIDA Clinical Trials Network field experience The American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions, 2004; 13 Suppl 1(3): S42-66.

Newton Thomas F, Kalechstein Ari D, Hardy David J, Cook Ian A, Nestor Liam, Ling Walter, Leuchter Andrew F   Association between quantitative EEG and neurocognition in methamphetamine-dependent volunteers Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2004; 115(1): 194-8.

London Edythe D, Simon Sara L, Berman Steven M, Mandelkern Mark A, Lichtman Aaron M, Bramen Jennifer, Shinn Ann K, Miotto Karen, Learn Jennifer, Dong Yun, Matochik John A, Kurian Varughese, Newton Thomas, Woods Roger, Rawson Richard, Ling Walter   Mood disturbances and regional cerebral metabolic abnormalities in recently abstinent methamphetamine abusers Archives of general psychiatry, 2004; 61(1): 73-84.

Shoptaw Steven, Yang Xiaowei, Rotheram-Fuller Erin J, Hsieh Ya-Ching M, Kintaudi Prudencia C, Charuvastra V C, Ling Walter   Randomized placebo-controlled trial of baclofen for cocaine dependence: preliminary effects for individuals with chronic patterns of cocaine use The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 2003; 64(12): 1440-8.

Compton Peggy, Charuvastra V C, Ling Walter   Effect of oral ketorolac and gender on human cold pressor pain tolerance Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology, 2003; 30(10): 759-63.

Charles Bradley K, Day Jayme E, Rollins Douglas E, Andrenyak David, Ling Walter, Wilkins Diana G   Opiate recidivism in a drug-treatment program: comparison of hair and urine data Journal of analytical toxicology, 2003; 27(7): 412-28.

Fudala Paul J, Bridge T Peter, Herbert Susan, Williford William O, Chiang C Nora, Jones Karen, Collins Joseph, Raisch Dennis, Casadonte Paul, Goldsmith R Jeffrey, Ling Walter, Malkerneker Usha, McNicholas Laura, Renner John, Stine Susan, Tusel Donald, Tusel Donald   Office-based treatment of opiate addiction with a sublingual-tablet formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone The New England journal of medicine, 2003; 349(10): 949-58.

Newton Thomas F, Kalechstein Ari D, Tervo Kari E, Ling Walter   Irritability following abstinence from cocaine predicts euphoric effects of cocaine administration Addictive behaviors, 2003; 28(4): 817-21.

Ling Walter, Wesson Donald R   Clinical efficacy of buprenorphine: comparisons to methadone and placebo Drug and alcohol dependence, 2003; 70(2 Suppl): S49-57.

Lopatko Olga V, White Jason M, Huber Alice, Ling Walter   Opioid effects and opioid withdrawal during a 24 h dosing interval in patients maintained on buprenorphine Drug and alcohol dependence, 2003; 69(3): 317-22.

Wesson Donald R, Ling Walter   The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) Journal of psychoactive drugs, 2003; 35(2): 253-9.

Ling Walter, Rawson Richard A, Compton Margaret   Clinical treatment of opioid addiction and dependence Methods in molecular medicine, 2003; 84(3): 285-95.

Rawson Richard A, Marinelli-Casey Patricia, Ling Walter   Dancing with strangers: will U.S. substance abuse practice and research organizations build mutually productive relationships? Addictive behaviors, 2003; 27(6): 941-9.

Newton Thomas F, Cook Ian A, Kalechstein Ari D, Duran Sonia, Monroy Franz, Ling Walter, Leuchter Andrew F   Quantitative EEG abnormalities in recently abstinent methamphetamine dependent individuals Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2003; 114(3): 410-5.

Shoptaw Steve, Rotheram-Fuller Erin, Yang Xiaowei, Frosch Dominick, Nahom Debbie, Jarvik Murray E, Rawson Richard A, Ling Walter   Smoking cessation in methadone maintenance Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2002; 97(10): 1317-28; discussion 1325.

Rawson Richard A, Huber Alice, McCann Michael, Shoptaw Steven, Farabee David, Reiber Chris, Ling Walter   A comparison of contingency management and cognitive-behavioral approaches during methadone maintenance treatment for cocaine dependence Archives of general psychiatry, 2002; 59(9): 817-24.

Ling Walter, Smith David   Buprenorphine: blending practice and research Journal of substance abuse treatment, 2002; 23(2): 87-92.

Shoptaw Steve, Kintaudi P C, Charuvastra Charles, Ling Walter   A screening trial of amantadine as a medication for cocaine dependence Drug and alcohol dependence, 2002; 66(3): 217-24.

Sim Tiffanie, Simon Sara L, Domier Catherine P, Richardson Kimberly, Rawson Richard A, Ling Walter   Cognitive deficits among methamphetamine users with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptomatology Journal of addictive diseases, 2002; 21(1): 75-89.

Simon Sara L, Domier Catherine P, Sim Tiffanie, Richardson Kimberly, Rawson Richard A, Ling Walter   Cognitive performance of current methamphetamine and cocaine abusers Journal of addictive diseases, 2002; 21(1): 61-74.

Ling Walter   Cynthia's Dilemma The American journal of bioethics : AJOB, 2002; 2(2): 55-6.

Miotto Karen, McCann Michael, Basch Janice, Rawson Richard, Ling Walter   Naltrexone and dysphoria: fact or myth? The American journal on addictions / American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions, 2002; 11(2): 151-60.

Rawson Richard A, Anglin M Douglas, Ling Walter   Will the methamphetamine problem go away? Journal of addictive diseases, 2002; 21(1): 5-19.

Ling Walter, Shoptaw Steven, Hillhouse Maureen, Bholat Michelle A, Charuvastra Charles, Heinzerling Keith, Chim David, Annon Jeffrey, Dowling Patrick T, Doraimani Geetha   Double-blind placebo-controlled evaluation of the PROMETA™ protocol for methamphetamine dependence Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2012; 107(2): 361-9.

Ling Walter, Farabee David, Liepa Dagmar, Wu Li-Tzy   The Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA): an efficient, patient-centered instrument for evaluating progress in recovery from addiction Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 2012; 3(1): 129-136.

Ling Walter, Mooney Larissa, Hillhouse Maureen   Prescription opioid abuse, pain and addiction: clinical issues and implications Drug and alcohol review, 2011; 30(3): 300-5.

Ling Walter, Hillhouse Maureen, Ang Alfonso, Jenkins Jessica, Fahey Jacqueline   Comparison of behavioral treatment conditions in buprenorphine maintenance Addiction (Abingdon, England), 2013; 108(10): 1788-98.

Ling Walter, Mooney Larissa, Wu Li-Tzy   Advances in opioid antagonist treatment for opioid addiction The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 2012; 35(2): 297-308.

Ling Walter, Hillhouse Maureen, Jenkins Jessica, Miotto Karen, Torrington Matthew, Chapleo Christopher   Comparisons of analgesic potency and side effects of buprenorphine and buprenorphine with ultra-low-dose naloxone Journal of addiction medicine, 2012; 6(2): 118-23.