SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cerebral Inc, the leading provider of online mental health services, announced today the launch of their new virtual opioid use disorder treatment program aimed at increasing access to care and improving the health of people suffering from opioid addiction.
In 2021, the U.S. saw over 100,000 overdose deaths - 75 percent of which were opioid-related. However, 82 percent of Americans suffering from opioid use disorder are still not receiving the lifesaving medication they need, according to Pew. Cerebral seeks to change that. Their service combines FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment with behavioral counseling and/or therapy, which has proven to be clinically effective in suppressing cravings and reducing the risk of relapse.
“As reports have consistently shown, opioid misuse continues to grow and now, more than ever, people need access to high-quality care that can address not just the symptoms, but the causes of these serious issues,” said Dr. David Mou, Chief Medical Officer at Cerebral. “That’s one of the many reasons we wanted to begin offering this service - to leverage our platform to treat each person comprehensively and get them to successfully live without addiction.”
Members who join the program will meet regularly with licensed prescribers to develop a personalized treatment plan, as well as manage or eliminate their opioid use, through medications like Suboxone. One-on-one counseling sessions will also supplement care. The sessions will be virtual, so members can get care from the comfort and privacy of their home. The program has been made available in Florida starting Mar 8, 2022 and will be expanded into additional states in the coming months.
Today, Cerebral treats a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, bipolar disorder, weight management, and more. Expanding coverage to now treat those who struggle with opioid addiction, Cerebral recognizes the need for holistic treatment, as 43 percent of those struggling with opioid addiction also have a co-occuring diagnosis or symptoms of mental health disorders. Cerebral is on the path to becoming a comprehensive care provider so that it can pioneer value-based care in behavioral health.
At the same time, Cerebral is purposefully supporting its existing medical professionals to get credentialed to treat those with opioid addiction. Having well-understood the significant gap in those able to serve this population - 40 percent of U.S. counties did not have a properly credentialed prescriber in 2018 - Cerebral is helping to expand the supply of care in addition to making care more accessible and affordable.
“Cerebral’s mission is to improve access to long-term, high-quality mental health care. The launch of our opioid use disorder program does just that by helping remove barriers while ensuring we provide the type of care our patients deserve,” said Kyle Robertson, founder and CEO of Cerebral. “We are proud to continue to live up to our mission and use our platform to get us all one step closer to putting an end to this epidemic.”
For more information, visit cerebral.com.
About Cerebral
Cerebral’s mission is simple and straightforward: to improve access to affordable, high-quality, long-term mental health care to everyone who needs it. Unlike traditional mental health care, Cerebral is accessible, convenient, affordable, and free of stigma. With several full-service monthly subscription plans, members receive online access to prescribing providers, behavioral counselors, and talk therapists—all from the comfort of home or anywhere else with an internet connection. Cerebral’s monthly service plans are accessible with or without insurance. Visits are done via video chat, and members can message their care team directly. They’ll even receive medications delivered straight to their door (if prescribed). Cerebral was founded and launched in January, 2020 by CEO Kyle Robertson. For more information, visit cerebral.com.
