* Evidence-based digital care and medication-assisted treatment now offered across the state through a mobile app.

Workit Health, recognised as one of the United States' most trusted online providers for substance use treatment, has announced its renewed presence in California. Operating once again from its Walnut Creek base, the organisation is now delivering evidence-based addiction treatment to patients throughout the entire state via its user-friendly mobile application.

Workit Health's connection with California dates back many years. "Our Co-Founders, Robin McIntosh and Lisa McLaughlin, are women in long-term recovery who actually met in California," explains CEO Gil Kochman. "In many ways, serving Californians again feels like returning to our roots."

The company had previously stepped back from the state due to regulatory uncertainties following the COVID-19 pandemic. With improved consistency in the regulatory landscape and expanded experience in virtual care, Workit Health is now reinstating high-standard, accessible addiction treatment for Californians regardless of their location.

Through its platform, Workit Health provides fully online treatment programmes for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Individuals seeking support can meet licensed clinicians via video, participate in virtual recovery groups and complete drug screening privately through the app. Medication is electronically prescribed when appropriate to the patient's preferred pharmacy. The service also addresses co-occurring health concerns such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, hepatitis C and offers access to preventative options like HIV PrEP.

The scale of need remains significant. Data from the California Department of Public Health show that 7,847 opioid-related overdose deaths occurred in 2023, with fentanyl contributing to over 90% of those cases. SAMHSA's 2023 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health indicate that around 18.5% of adults in the state experienced a substance use disorder within the past year. Despite notable progress in harm reduction at local and state levels, many Californians still struggle to obtain the care required for recovery. Workit Health's inclusive and easily accessible virtual model aims to address this gap.

"Too many people face barriers to effective care," says Justin Coffey, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Workit Health. "Our goal is to remove those barriers with flexible, nonjudgmental treatment that can be accessed from anywhere in the state."

Access is particularly vital for California's 2.3 million rural residents, where treatment resources may be scarce or difficult to reach. Workit Health's virtual care model offers a practical solution. In peer-reviewed research, 62% of Workit Health's rural patients with opioid use disorder remained in treatment after three months--exceeding the 50% retention rate documented in comparable telehealth studies. Better retention contributes to improved health outcomes, fewer overdoses and more lives saved.

Founded in 2015, Workit Health has been delivering telehealth addiction care since 2017. Its California clinic has now reopened and is actively welcoming patients for fully online treatment through its app. Further details are available at www.workithealth.com.

source:newsreleases.co.uk