About

Recovery Research Institute

ENHANCING RECOVERY THROUGH SCIENCE

The Recovery Research Institute is a leading nonprofit research institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital, dedicated to the advancement of addiction treatment and recovery.

Addiction is one of the greatest public health crises of our time, with staggeringly high rates of mortality, disease, and disability.

We need scientific research to improve the effectiveness of addiction treatment and recovery efforts, to find out what is and what is not working, and why certain pathways to recovery work for some individuals and not others.

 

At the Recovery Research Institute, we know that stable and long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug use disorders is possible. Rates of recovery can continue to be improved through focused scientific investigation and a commitment to public education.

MISSION

To enhance the public health impact of addiction recovery science through the summary, synthesis, and dissemination of scientific findings and the conduct of novel research.

Founded in 2012 by Dr. John F. Kelly, the Recovery Research Institute is a team of innovative scientists working through research, education and outreach to enhance recovery through science, conducting and disseminating the most up-to-date research findings for individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers alike.

2-3 Post-Doctoral Fellows

FUNDED PER YEAR

The RRI has a commitment to training the next generation of addiction recovery researchers

Home to the

RECOVERY BULLETIN

Summarizing the latest in addiction recovery science

Founders of the

ADDICTIONARY ®

If we want addiction destigmatized, we need a language that’s unified

Research

Our groundbreaking research has changed everything from the way addiction is talked about to the way it is treated, with notable findings that:

Long-term recovery support services are key when treating a chronic illness such as addiction.

Fun activities with others in recovery and building relationships with recovery role models is central to the recovery process for many.

Words such as drug “abuse” and “abuser” increase stigmatized attitudes and act as a barrier to individuals seeking treatment.

EDUCATION

We translate the technical science of addiction medicine to allow audiences at every level of expertise to understand and engage with important findings.

Maintains recoveryanswers.org as a trusted source for addiction science with hundreds of consumable articles and useful resources.

Publishes the Recovery Bulletin, a free monthly e-publication summarizing the latest and best research in addiction treatment and recovery.

Manages the Addictionary®, a glossary of more than 200 terms that define and align the language of addiction, while also fighting stigma.

OUTREACH

From grassroots to government, we inform the conversation on addiction recovery and treatment.

Consultants to national organizations, federal agencies in the U.S. and foreign governments, contributors to the first ever U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.

Active across multiple social media platforms to increase awareness of ongoing and important updates in public policy news and information.

Participates and organizes events annually to disseminate knowledge on addiction.

(left) Dr. John F. Kelly and Former Director of the ONDCP Michael Botticelli

(right) Dr. Kelly meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May

Dr. Corrie Vilsaint was honored by Faces and Voices of Recovery with a national award for Excellence in Justice and Equity

A DONOR-FUNDED INITATIVE WITH A BIG IMPACT

Since its inception in 2012, the RRI to-date has a long list of achievements.

Since its inception in 2012, the RRI to-date has a long list of achievements.

From awards recognizing promising post-doctoral work, to lifetime achievement awards, the RRI team of researchers have unparalleled experience and expertise

Philanthropic donations have provided seed money that has allowed the Institute to win Federal grants for larger research studies that further support the Institute

Peer-reviewed articles in top scientific journals reflect the quality and importance of the Institute’s research

Our monthly Recovery Bulletin reaches 50,000 readers each month through email and social media channels

Presenting research and disseminating the knowledge of addiction by participating in and organizing events annually

The RRI has a commitment to training the next generation of addiction recovery researchers

Your support is needed to make this life-saving research possible. Join us in working to end this crisis

To conduct research on successful sustained recovery, predictors of relapse, and emerging treatment technologies to enhance long-term recovery outcomes.

To increase efforts to advise state and federal governments about empirically-informed national alcohol and other drug strategy.

To train the next generation of scientists in addiction research.

ADDICTION TREATMENT AND RECOVERY OPTIONS

The Multiple Pathways to Recovery

Learn more about the large variety of evidence-based addiction treatment and 

recovery options available

FACULTY/STAFF

John F. Kelly, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.

Founder and Director

Brandon Bergman, Ph.D.

Associate Director

Emily Hennessy, Ph.D.

Associate Director of the Recovery Research Institute;
Director of Biostatistics at the Recovery Research
Institute

Alexandra Abry

Director of Operations and Finance

Corrie Vilsaint, Ph.D.

Associate Director of Recovery Health Equity

David Eddie, Ph.D., A.B.A.P.

Associate Director of Clinical Translational
Recovery Science

Lauren Hoffman, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Alex Russell, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Richard Fletcher, Ph.D.

Research Science Affiliate

Akosua Dankwah, Dr.PH.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Samuel Acuff, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Benjamin Thompson, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Chris Savage

Clinical Research Program Manager

Zoe Gerndt, MPH

Health Communications Manager

Zoe Hall

Health Communications and Marketing Specialist

Eric Boorman, Ph.D.

Biostatistician

Paul McCafferty, MS

Therapist

Jenny O’Connor

Assistant Clinical Program Manager, Clinical Research Coordinator II

Morgan Klein

Assistant Clinical Program Manager, Clinical Research Coordinator II

Erin Hardy

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Ji Won Yoon

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Alex Tansey

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Nick Herbst

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Shane George

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Lindsay Jacobson

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Katherine Zeng

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Sydney Manske

Clinical Research Coordinator II

Jaden Femrite

Clinical Research Coordinator I

AFFILIATES

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The Recovery Research Institute is a small donor-funded initiative. 

Your generosity makes our life-saving work possible.

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151 Merrimac St., 6th Floor. Boston, MA 02114