With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Dr. Jack Kuo is a renowned addiction psychiatrist and global thought leader known for his pioneering work in substance use treatment, co-occuring disorder care, and digital psychiatry. His career began in Waikiki as a volunteer outreach worker, supporting homeless teens struggling with addiction. This early experience ignited his passion for working with underserved communities, leading him to provide residential counseling for at-risk youth and work with homeless individuals experiencing severe mental illness in a transitional living program. His dedication to harm reduction and public health was further demonstrated in his role as a community health outreach worker, where he focused on HIV prevention education and operated a needle exchange program for intravenous drug users.

Dr. Kuo completed his general and addiction psychiatry training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, gaining expertise in evidence-based addiction treatment, complex co-occuring disorder cases, and the intersection of technology and psychiatry. From 2005 to 2018, he served as the Director of Psychiatric Services at Promises Malibu, a world-renowned residential treatment center, where he played a pivotal role in advancing psychiatric care for high-profile individuals and complex addiction cases.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Kuo is a globally recognized speaker and researcher, presenting nationally and internationally on topics such as ethnic biodiversity in substance use and mental illness, methamphetamine use disorder, and the impact of cybertherapy in addiction treatment. He is a pioneer in the study of video game addiction and digital dependency, frequently appearing as an expert consultant on television to discuss the psychological effects of gaming and virtual environments on mental health. His work bridges the gap between traditional psychiatry and the rapidly evolving digital landscape, making him one of the foremost experts in the field of technology-driven behavioral health interventions.

At START UP WELLNESS, Dr. Kuo continues to push the boundaries of addiction psychiatry, integrating advanced clinical techniques, digital therapeutics, and a multidisciplinary approach to ensure that every client receives the most personalized, cutting-edge treatment available. He works closely with the clinical and wellness teams to develop innovative strategies that address both the neurological and emotional components of addiction and mental health disorders. His expertise in neuroscience, behavioral health, and holistic wellness makes him an invaluable part of the START UP WELLNESS mission to redefine healing through innovation, science, and compassion.

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