opiateOpiate overdose stats are frightening:

  • Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., with 47,055 lethal drug overdoses in 2014.
  • Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with 18,893 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, and 10,574 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2014. And that number keeps climbing annually.

No one understands this problem better than Joseph A. Russo, M.D., who has been helping addicts in Fairfield County for more than 17 years as medical director/co-founder of The Recovery Center of Westport.

Hope is here

This month he has joined forces with The Life Solution Center of Darien (LSCD) and formed Saved from Addiction, Inc., including Pathway to Mindfulness in the team that will be working with his clients.

Dr. Russo was the first physician in New England to surgically insert the newly FDA-approved Probuphine Implant into the upper arm of an addict, a medication preparation that provides steady coverage to reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal symptoms and block the effects of opiates. Included in the Saved from Addiction partnership is LSCD founder and executive director Maud Purcell, MSW, LCSW, CEAP, who will serve as chief clinical officer; a sober coach; a nurse; and Val Foster and Bill Van Ollefen of Pathway to Mindfulness, who will be conducting up to 16 mindfulness meditation sessions with each client.

The philosophy

“It is our mission to help as many individuals as possible save themselves from the devastation of addiction,” Dr. Russo says. “We provide the latest, most cutting-edge treatment protocols aimed at achieving this goal for the entire Northeast region. There is nothing more important than preserving the dignity and sanctity of human life. Too many individuals, families and friends have suffered incalculable losses. We are committed to ending this epidemic now.”

Saved from Addiction’s philosophy is based upon respect and compassion for the client, while providing holistic and cutting-edge assessment and treatment options for both substance abuse and dual-diagnosis disorders.

Please spread the word about this extraordinary program with your friends and family. Call 203-258-6770 for more information.