Dr. Thomas Richard Kosten, MD

Unfortunately for me, Dr. Kosten no longer sees patients for individual treatment except as part of his research program. I signed up and this was the best thing I could have done for treating my 20+ year cocaine addiction. I didn't get to see Dr. Kosten except during my screening visits and at the very end of my treatment, but he was by the far the most insightful and helpful pychiatrist I have ever seen. In about the first 5 minutes of my meeting with him, he was able to sum up my years of dispair and validate me as an individual who happened to have an addictive disorder; not simply label me an addict. I was fortunate to have been accepted into his research program at the Houston VA. My cocaine use drastically reduced within about the first 6 weeks of treatment until I completely stopped using over the next 8 weeks or so. I managed to stay clean for a full 6-months following completion of treatment. But then, following a personel crisis, started using again. I plan to call in again… in hopes that I can re-enroll for continued treatment. Dr. Kosten is empathetic and caring and really seems to understand the addictive process. He has put together a great research team and research program. For me, this is the only thing that has ever worked.