Quit Genius, an addiction treatment telehealth startup, has raised $64 million. It will use the money to reach people who never seek care. It will also fund clinical research. About 90% of people with addiction go untreated. Cost, travel and fear that others will find out hold them back.
Summary: Addiction is a global pandemic that hits millions in every nation. It is a mental health disorder that needs treatment. Yet data shows that 90% of people never seek medical care for their addiction. Many things stand in the way, like high costs, trouble getting to a clinic, and poor privacy. Quit Genius plans to break down these barriers and improve addiction treatment. It will offer telehealth services and invest in clinical research. It has already raised $64 million for the work. Addiction is a severe problem that hurts millions of lives. It is a pandemic in every way, and yet it is still ignored. No nation is free of it, though how bad it is may vary. So there is still a lot to do in addiction treatment. Addiction treatment urgently needs new ideas and new money if we want to tame this pandemic.
How many people with addiction get treatment?
US addiction numbers are best seen as an epidemic inside the pandemic. Data suggests that 21 million Americans are addicted to one thing or another. Many believe these are still low estimates and that the real numbers are higher. Even more worrying, most people never seek addiction treatment. Even in the US, only about 10% get treatment. These low treatment rates are a big problem, because substance abuse and drug addiction are still common. And this is a condition that can be readily treated. The yearly death rate from drug overdose is also rising. Another worrying fact is that addiction mostly hits young adults. That causes significant money losses for nations. People can be addicted to many things, but the bigger worry is still substance misuse. About 15 million people in the US regularly abuse alcohol. More than 2 million live with opioid addiction. And a few million are addicted to street drugs. Doctors today no longer see addiction as just a bad habit or a social problem, as they did a few decades ago. Deep research on the subject shows that some people are prone to addiction. It is a mental health disorder that must be treated.
Why don’t people seek addiction treatment?
But experts also see that addiction treatment needs new ideas to get past the barriers that keep people from seeking care. Studies show that some of the biggest barriers to seeking addiction treatment are:
- High treatment costs, or the belief that treatment costs a lot
- The belief that one can beat the problem without treatment
- Not knowing where to seek medical attention
- Worry that people nearby will learn about the addiction
- Health insurance that does not pay for addiction care
- Fear that treatment may hurt one’s job
- Disbelief in treatment methods
How does Quit Genius plan to treat addiction?
One way out could be to put new technology to work for addiction treatment. So Quit Genius wants to build a telehealth solution for addiction treatment. It believes this would help break down many barriers to care. For example, telehealth can give better information, help cut costs, keep treatment private, and more. Quit Genius has already raised $64 million. It is confident its approach can have a significant impact on addiction treatment. It does not just plan to help manage addiction. It also plans to invest in addiction research. More money for clinical research would help improve treatment programs. The founders of Quit Genius believe telehealth is the way forward. People are now less wary of this kind of help, because they know there is a real person on the other side. People now know that telehealth can give personal treatment and emotional support, and it does not take much time.
Frequently asked questions
Is addiction hard to treat?
No. Addiction is easy to treat. Yet only about 10% of people with addiction in the US get care. Doctors no longer see addiction as a bad habit or a social problem. Research shows some people are more prone to it. It is a mental health disorder, and it must be treated.
How much money did Quit Genius raise?
Quit Genius, an addiction treatment telehealth startup, raised $64 million. The company will use it to build telehealth that reaches people who never seek care. It will also fund clinical research to make addiction care better. The goal is to reach the roughly 90% of people with addiction who never get care.
Can telehealth help with addiction treatment?
Yes. Telehealth tears down several of the walls that keep people out of care. It can give better facts, cost less and keep care private. It offers care built for each person. It gives emotional support from a real person. And it does not take much time out of the day.
How many Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol?
About 21 million Americans live with an addiction, and many believe the real number is higher. About 15 million people in the US often abuse alcohol. More than 2 million live with opioid addiction. A few million more are addicted to street drugs. Addiction mainly affects young adults.
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Telehealth for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Risk · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment From Home by Telemedicine · Drug Addiction Treatment, St. Louis