Executive Corner – Dr. Joe Desanto
Executive Corner
April 30, 2017
The Executive Corner is a new weekly feature of the Addiction/Recovery eBulletin. We send our participants forty questions and ask them to choose twenty they would like to answer. It includes a short profile and a link to their website. We hope you enjoy it.
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PROFILE
Dr. Joe DeSanto is a double board certified medical doctor with over 12 years of addiction treatment experience. As an addict in successful recovery, Dr. Joe understands the day-to-day struggle of finding sobriety and breaking free from the painful cycle of substance dependence. After graduating Lafayette College, he attended the State University of New York at Downstate in Brooklyn for his medical school training, and moved to California to complete his internship and residency training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Joe is currently the Medical Director of Hotel California by the Sea in Newport Beach, California, where he oversees the medical and detox care for all participating clients. He works extensively with numerous additional treatment centers in Orange County.
Learn more about Desanto Clinics at
Q: Q: What was your DOC and when did you discontinue its use?
A: My drugs of choice were Oxycodone, Xanax and Alcohol. My sobriety date is April 10th, 2012.
Q: Do you believe leaders are made or born?
A: Made. I was always told, when someone asks you to be the hero, be the hero.
Q: Which film have you watched the most?
A: Bladerunner
Q: Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?
A: Robert Downey, Jr. I was rooting for him while I was in my downward spiral. He gave me hope.
Q: What is your favorite hotel or resort?
A: L’Auberge de Sedona—no hotel like it, anywhere.
Q: Where did you go on your honeymoon?
A: Which one…
Q: How do you measure success?
A: By the respect and love of your friends and family.
Q: Who was your biggest influence throughout your life?
A: My father. He taught me tenacity and work ethic. It saved my life.
Q: What is your current hobby?
A: I bought a drone with a 4K camera. Now I’m terrorizing the neighborhood with it. I also tango dance.
Q: What prominent female figure would you most like to date?
A: Elle Macpherson in 1985 or Brigitte Bardot in 1965.
Q: What is your favorite radio or news show?
A: News show, The Recovery Show with Dr. Joe and Angelina, of course! And The Rachel Maddow Show.
Q: What is your favorite TV, cable, and/or digital series?
A: Dr. Who
Q: Who is your favorite Film Director?
A: [Stanley] Kubrick
What is your favorite museum?
A: Prado
Q: Do you have a favorite band, composer, and/or musical artist?
A: Peter Gabriel
Q: Favorite snack?
A: Pringles
Q: Favorite restaurant?
A: Peter Luger Steak House
Q: Favorite city?
A: Carmel
Q: Do you think the U.S. should adopt the Portuguese Decriminalization Model?
A: I think we should, but I don’t think the U.S. is progressive enough to support this model yet.
Q: Do you take work home with you?
A: I take home to work with me.
Q: What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
A: Leaving New York and everyone I knew to make a life in Los Angeles.
Q: What is the proudest moment in your life?
A: When I realized why I was put on this planet. It is not about me. It was never about me..