Ann Arbor, Mich. (MAY 10, 2022) –– Workit Health, the nation’s leading provider of virtual substance use disorder treatment, today announced the launch of the first-ever clinical programs for stimulant use disorder, including methamphetamines and cocaine, to take place on a telehealth platform. People struggling with stimulants can access telemedicine visits and, if appropriate, may be e-prescribed medication to a local pharmacy. Contingency management, individual and group therapy and an interactive therapeutic curriculum are also available.

“As we’ve offered medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use, we’ve heard the outcry from people who struggle with stimulants like methamphetamine that they are being left behind,” said Lisa McLaughlin, Workit Health’s co-CEO. “Stimulant use is a silent epidemic — according to the CDC, 20% of overdose deaths now involve methamphetamines. Bad actors in the telemedicine space aggressively overprescribe prescription stimulants, which only increases spiking rates of stimulant use disorder.”

Stimulant use is on the rise, with overdose death rates from methamphetamines and cocaine increasing ten-fold in the last decade. Illegally manufactured fentanyl and carfentanil are increasingly mixed with stimulants, creating a higher risk of overdose and death. Data from the CDC shows that 3 in 10 overdose deaths involve both stimulants and opioids. Despite this rise in overdose deaths, many treatment programs don’t offer specialized clinical or behavioral health support for this issue.

“Not everyone who struggles with cocaine, methamphetamine or prescription stimulant use wants to go away to treatment for 30 days,” said Robin McIntosh, Workit Health’s co-CEO. “But everyone wants high-quality care that will help them feel their best and enjoy life, and that’s what we offer at Workit Health. We know medication can help, but we’re offering more than just medication. Our clinical teams are leading the charge in bringing best-in-class, compassionate care into people’s homes via the Workit app.”

Although no medications are currently FDA-approved to treat stimulant use disorders, research has shown that some medications that treat commonly co-occurring conditions can decrease cravings. Workit Health clinicians provide care for commonly co-occurring disorders, including anxiety, depression and insomnia, and supportive care for stimulant withdrawal. Medications may be prescribed if a health care professional believes it is an appropriate course of treatment for an individual, based on the specific needs of the individual.

“Most people who could benefit from treatment for substance use disorders do not receive it and this includes people who have a stimulant use disorder,” said Erin E. Bonar, Ph.D., Workit Health advisor and associate professor of psychiatry at University of Michigan Medical School. “Among other barriers, there is a lack of accessible care for people who need it and it’s exciting to see that there will be new avenues for people who struggle with stimulant use to receive evidence-based care that is accessible in their day-to-day lives.”

The core aspects of Workit Health’s therapeutic programming, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management, have been endorsed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as evidence-based and effective in treating stimulant use disorders. Members of the program receive one-on-one counseling and group therapy with licensed counselors and an interactive curriculum specific to the recovery needs of people who use stimulants. The program will include contingency management in the form of tangible incentives that act as a motivation for recovery.

Workit Health is the most complete and widely covered virtual addiction care program, with over 110 million people signed up for treatment via the Workit Health web or mobile app. Workit Health’s clinical programs for alcohol and opioid use disorder have outstanding results, with 84% retention at the 30-day mark. Workit Health’s polychronic care includes treatment for over 30 commonly co-occurring conditions, including primary, psychiatric and substance use disorders.

About Workit Health
Workit Health is the industry-leading provider of clinically proven telemedicine treatment for substance use disorder, offering online therapy, medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric support, and primary care via the Workit Health mobile app. Workit Health brings the gold standard of substance use treatment into the privacy of people’s homes at the moment they’re ready for help, allowing people to find long-term freedom from drugs and alcohol with minimal disruption to their daily lives. Workit Health partners with individuals, health plans and employers. More about Workit Health at www.workithealth.com.

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