When people hear that Workit Health providers prescribe Suboxone via an app, they often have questions. Here are some answers!
When mobile apps first became popular, they were mostly relegated to games and social media. Nowadays, there seems to be an app for everything. This sea change to innovative third-party lifestyle apps really picked up steam in the early 2010s, which made it possible for Workit Health to launch our first app in 2015.
We often receive confused inquiries from people who wonder how we can provide telemedicine addiction services through an app. After all, doesn’t that require real human interaction? The answer is yes! Services from a healthcare provider, support from a counselor, oversight during drug tests … all of those are (and must be) provided by qualified people. But all of these interactions take place within the Workit Health app.
We want to answer some of the questions we often encounter about how a “suboxone app” can work:
How will I get a prescription if I’m not seeing a doctor in person?
Our clinicians meet with members via secure video chat through our app. This allows person-to-person interaction that gives our members space to ask questions about how their medication will work and what its effects might be. Providers are able to make sure that medication-assisted treatment is a good fit for the member, and to discuss other health concerns, like anxiety, depression, Hepatitis C, PrEP for HIV prevention, and more. It’s basically just like any other doctor’s appointment you might have, only it takes place in a private video conference on your mobile device instead of in a doctor’s office.
After the appointment, the provider sends an e-prescription to the member’s local pharmacy. Some members who live in remote areas far from a pharmacy even use a mail-order pharmacy.
So Workit won’t ship my meds directly to me?
While Suboxone, naltrexone, and other medications that Workit members use are less stringently regulated than some other medications (like methadone), there are still vital controls and regulations in place to make sure that they’re prescribed and administered properly. That means going through a pharmacy. Workit providers and clinic staff will work with you to find a pharmacy that works with you!
How do drug tests even work through an app?
Depending on your situation, you will probably need to take drug tests on occasion. It’s important for your providers to have the confirmation of which substances you’re using so that they can give you the best treatment. We ship drug tests to our members. If something happens to your shipment, many local stores also sell ones that will work in a pinch, but you will want to confirm that you’re getting the right kind.
When it’s time for you to test, there are two options:
- If you use video drug testing, you’ll use the Workit app to enter a private waiting room until a counselor is available. Once a counselor is available, they’ll admit you to a private video room. You’ll show your counselor the sealed, new test on camera, and then go off camera to a private space to collect your sample. Then you’ll get back on camera to review your results with your counselor. This is a judgment free process. Your counselor is there to make sure you get the care you need and to adjust your recovery goals if necessary. They will not shame you or kick you out of the program because of testing positive for an illicit substance.
- If you use automated drug testing, you’ll use the Workit app to enter the automated drug testing tab. You’ll be prompted to prepare your testing materials, label them properly, take the test, and clearly photograph the results. Because there will not be a counselor on the line with you, there is a time limit for photographing the results, and you will also need to take a photo of yourself with the completed test afterward. Workit staff will review your test submission to verify your results, and they’ll be in touch if there are any issues with your photos or with viewing your results.
Does counseling happen through the app, too?
It does! Medication-assisted treatment works best when in combination with behavioral health support. For some members, this means one-on-one sessions with a trained and licensed counselor over video chat or audio calls. For others, it is text conversations with a counselor. Many also find support and encouragement in Workit recovery group meetings, where you can share as much or as little as you like with other members like you. Group meetings are moderated by one of our licensed counselors.
One part of the app that surprises many people is our recovery courses. These bite-sized courses help you work on your personal recovery goals at your own pace. There are courses for many aspects of recovery, from navigating triggers to coping with cravings to dealing with social pressure. But they don’t end there. Workit courses can help you with mental health, personal growth, mindfulness, and personal relationships. Your counselor may send you specific courses that are suited to you and your goals. Your in-app responses to your courses will also be reviewed by your counselor so that they have a clearer picture of where you’re at in your recovery.
When people search for “suboxone app,” they often don’t have a clear image of what that might entail. At its heart, the Workit Health app is a way to facilitate your recovery. It connects you to doctors, counselors, and admins who are ready to help you toward your recovery goals without judging you, and it provides interactive courses to help you grow.
