JOSEPH A. RUSSO, M.D.
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT and Executive Medical Director
Joseph Russo, M.D. has been a recognized expert in the fields of Psychopharmacology, Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry for over 21 years now. He currently serves as our Founder, President and Executive Medical Director of The Recovery Centers, an outpatient treatment and research center dedicated to new and novel treatment options, and to exploring and creating the latest and most effective treatment protocols to help win in the battle of addiction. Dr. Russo is also the Medical Director and Co-Owner of The Recovery Center of Westport, an outpatient treatment facility specializing in psychiatric, addictions and dual diagnosis disorders that is now incorporated into The Recovery Centers. In addition, Dr. Russo served as Medical Director and President of Russo Aesthetic and Wellness, a treatment center dedicated to the practice of aesthetics and wellness therapies such as medical weight loss and hormonal therapies. Dr. Russo is also the Attending Psychiatrist at Newport Academy, an educational and Intensive Outpatient Treatment Center specializing in teens struggling with psychiatric and substance abuse issues. He was previously the Medical Director of the Start Fresh Recovery Clinics in both Norwalk and West Hartford, and President and Medical Director of Connecticut Recovery, P.C. based in Norwalk, CT. He has affiliations with Aware Recovery Care, Inc., in Madison, CT, The Life Solution Center, in Darien, CT and Turnbridge in Westport, CT. Joseph Russo, M.D. has remained on the cutting edge in terms of dual diagnose assessment and treatment, in substance abuse and dependence evaluation, detoxification and comprehensive treatment protocols involving the latest research supported treatment methodology. He has been a key opinion leader and specialized practitioner in the fields of Alcohol and Opioid addictions, serving a large community base in the Tri-State Area. Dr. Russo also has the distinction of being the first physician in all of New England to prescribe and implant the latest cutting edge technology available for Opioid Dependence called the Probuphine Implant. This life saving treatment was performed on June 20, 2016, and has been covered by multiple news programs and radio stations since. The Recovery Centers remains the Center of Excellence for this remarkably effective treatment protocol utilized in combatting the devastating opioid epidemic.
Dr. Russo offers a patient centered approach which elevates the doctor patient rapport to a level of prime importance, from which, he believes, all subsequent healing is possible. He emphasizes compassion and empathy, especially when dealing with individuals suffering from addictions. Too often, these individuals are unfairly judged and biased against, as society is often not up to date with the fact that addictions are biological medical illnesses like Diabetes and Hypertension. Evaluation, treatment and overall care must be comprehensive, holistic and accurate as addictions are difficult, enduring and chronic in nature.
Dr. Russo obtained his M.D. degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, completed his residency training at Maimonides Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident, his Undergraduate degree from New York University, graduating Cum Laude, and scored in the top 3% nationally on the Columbia University National Psychotherapy Exam. Dr. Russo has also served as Unit Chief of Addiction Services at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, and Staff Professor at The Westchester Institute of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.
In addition, Dr. Russo has been operating two private practices, one based in Westport, CT and one in Ridgefield, CT. Dr. Russo is licensed in both Connecticut and New York, a member of The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Procedural Medicine and The American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has given numerous talks and presentations throughout New York and Connecticut, has provided expert witness testimony in various courts, and has appeared on Fox 5 News New York, WABC News CT Channel 12 multiple times, NPR News Radio, WICC Radio, The Norwalk Hour and The Darien Times.
Some of his noteworthy presentations are: “Addiction: In Every Sense of The Word”,
“The Biology of Alcohol Dependence and Withdrawal”, “Opioid Dependence and Withdrawal”, “Psychopharmacology and Psychiatric Disorders”,“DSM and Psychiatric Diagnosis”, “Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment” and “The Connection Between Creativity and Mental Illness”.
Dr. Russo is also a visual artist, and his watercolors, sculptures and drawings have been featured in numerous galleries throughout Connecticut and New York. He has had one-man shows featuring his works of art in both Tribeca and Chelsea, N.Y.