Workit Health’s addiction app can sound too good to be true. But online recovery is the real deal.
When Workit Health first began offering opioid addiction treatment via our app over five years ago, it was such a unique concept that people often asked us, “Is Workit Health for real? Is this legit?” When people imagined a treatment for addiction, they imagined a traditional rehab—not an online program.
Since that time, the world has warmed to telehealth. Telehealth visits increased by 766% in the first three months of the pandemic. Telemedicine options for addiction are more prevalent today, but you still may be wondering if an online recovery app like Workit Health is legit, real, or right for you.
Here are some common questions people have about Workit Health’s program, answered:
Is it legal to get a Suboxone prescription through a telehealth app?
It is legal to receive a prescription for Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) via telehealth care. Although at one time an in-person visit was required to receive this medication, that isn’t currently necessary. Workit Health members engage in care in many ways that are similar to in-person treatment, but they’re all completed online. After downloading the Workit Health app, members are able to attend medical visits with a dedicated provider, complete regular drug screening, and participate in recovery support activities like recovery groups.
This type of treatment isn’t only legal, it’s also safe. A collaborative study between the CDC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that receiving telehealth support for opioid use disorder actually decreased the risk of overdose by 33%.
Is Workit Health effective? What are its outcomes, and what do Workit Health members say about the program?
Telehealth brings incredible convenience to addiction care. But does it work? The outcomes say yes.
The Workit Labs research team completed the first peer-reviewed study evaluating telehealth care for opioid addiction among rural Americans post-COVID. This study included the largest sample of rural Americans struggling with opioid addiction to date, and the results of the study showed that Workit Health’s retention rates were higher than those of traditional care and other telehealth providers. Simply put, this means that Workit Health members stay in treatment longer than average.
But Workit Health’s outcomes are only positive because we also focus on our member experience, ensuring that Workit Health members feel empowered in their treatment.
You can read more Workit Health reviews from our members on our website. 9 out of 10 Workit Health members would recommend us to a friend, and we have over 3,000 reviews in the app stores with an average rating of 4.5 stars. Our member experience is so important to us because we were founded by people in recovery, and keep our members at the heart of everything we do. We call this patient-centered design, meaning we design for the people we care for.
Who is behind Workit Health? Who started Workit Health and what is the company’s mission?
As mentioned, Workit Health was founded by two women in recovery in 2015. Robin McIntosh and Lisa McLaughlin had each experienced the maze of the traditional treatment system firsthand and witnessed friends falling through gaps in the treatment system. It felt like the only two options were expensive rehab or support groups in church basements.
Our founders envisioned care you could access from anywhere, that you could also trust to be informed by the latest research and evidence. This means that we practice evidence-based care at Workit Health, guided by a team of clinicians who understand addiction.
We also focus on providing nonjudgmental care that is rooted in harm reduction. This means that we don’t define what your recovery should look like for you—we help you meet recovery goals you set yourself, whether your goal is abstinence, cutting back, or just quitting a single substance.
Are Workit Health providers licensed? What other types of accreditations does Workit Health have?
All providers affiliated with Workit Health are licensed in the state in which they practice care. Our team is made up of licensed nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants who are supervised by licensed physicians. In addition to their licensure, Workit Health focuses on ensuring our care teams are compassionate and dedicated to helping people with addiction change their lives for the better. We receive feedback from members that their Workit Health provider is the first provider they feel has truly listened to them, instead of judging them for their addiction.
Here are a few positive comments from app store reviews about Workit Health providers:
“I’ve been with Workit for over a year and I’d have to say this is a great program, I’ve been with Sade since the beginning of my journey. She’s one of the best counselors and providers I’ve ever came across.” —Bobby
“Way better than going in to a clinic and having people judge you that have no clue what your experience is since they have never been thru it talking down on you and making you feel worse.” —Derek
“Love this app! Definitely is the reason I can finally say I am able to see a future with me being sober!!! And I haven’t been able to say that for years. It’s so easy and the medical team and counselors and care team are just fantastic! I would definitely recommend this to anyone searching for sobriety.” —Kaylee
Our dedication to high-quality care doesn’t only extend to our care teams. We also have focused on accessibility, with WCAG compliance, following guidelines on how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Our care system is SOC 2 Type II certified, meaning we received validation from a third party that we manage our data with the highest standard of security and compliance. We’ve also partnered with organizations like the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Health Institute to innovate technology that improves the lives of people struggling with addiction.
Who is Workit Health best for? Who is it not a good fit for?
Workit Health is a good fit for people struggling with opioid and alcohol addiction who are interested in receiving their treatment online. It’s best for people interested in receiving medical support (and medication when appropriate) for their addiction and any coexisting issues like anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
It isn’t a good fit for people who don’t have access to any type of technology (either a phone, computer, or tablet) and internet connection for that device, or people who are looking for in-person treatment. It’s also not a good fit for anyone who doesn’t have any type of identification. Photo identification is required to receive care with Workit Health, and it’s also commonly required to pick up certain types of medication at the pharmacy.
I’m ready to sign up. What now?
If all this information helped you decide that Workit Health might be the right program for you, it’s simple to get started. You can download the Workit Health app in the App Store, or sign up online in just a few minutes. Schedule your first appointment, pick out a few recovery groups to attend, and join the thousands of Workit Health members receiving care online.