In 2015, University of Michigan alumni Robin McIntosh and Lisa McLaughlin—both in long-term recovery from substance use disorder (SUD)—saw firsthand the deep cracks in America’s addiction treatment system. Having lost loved ones to addiction and endured stigma themselves, they knew the existing model wasn’t working for everyone. Motivated by personal experience and a powerful desire for change, they launched Workit Health, a groundbreaking provider of Virtual Addiction Treatment designed to be accessible, patient-centered, and stigma-free.
“Going through the experience of losing a few loved ones really inspired them to say, ‘We are the people going through this. We’re the patients as designers. We have a better idea of how this care can be delivered,’” said Kate Monti, Workit Health’s Chief Operating Officer.
The Vision: Recovery in Your Pocket
Workit Health began with a bold mission: to deliver Virtual Addiction Treatment that met people where they were—physically, emotionally, and financially. But in the early days, the company faced skepticism. Many in the healthcare industry didn’t yet understand or embrace a telehealth model for substance use recovery. Despite the hurdles, McIntosh and McLaughlin focused on long-term vision and market alignment, securing seed funding in 2016 to begin building what they called a “recovery-in-your-pocket” platform.
Originally emphasizing community support and the idea of “substance wellness”—helping people improve their relationship with substances—Workit offered a lighter, more flexible model. However, the worsening opioid crisis between 2016 and 2017 made clear that more clinical depth was needed. In response, Workit pivoted to include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), offering virtual prescribing options to people with opioid use disorder, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
This transition marked a major turning point in the evolution of Virtual Addiction Treatment as a serious, outcomes-driven approach to healthcare.
Scaling During a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, while devastating, created an unprecedented opportunity for telehealth services to expand. In 2020, Workit Health raised $12 million in Series B funding. Fueled by surging demand and regulatory shifts that allowed more flexibility for telemedicine, the company was able to scale quickly. In 2021, it followed up with an impressive $118 million in Series C funding.
Workit’s model of Virtual Addiction Treatment soon gained wider acceptance, thanks in part to its comprehensive approach. It doesn’t just treat addiction—it treats the whole person. Anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring conditions are supported through therapy, peer-led groups, and personalized care plans.
“We wrap ourselves around the whole patient,” Monti explained. “We’re trying to create a system that really works for patients versus making our patients work for the system.”
Data-Driven and Patient-Focused
By focusing on robust clinical outcomes, Workit Health is helping reshape how Virtual Addiction Treatment is measured. From early 2023 through November, the company treated more than 12,000 members—nearly all covered by health plans. Their commitment to results led to increased research and reporting in 2023, with standout metrics: a three-month retention rate of 62% (above the industry average of 50%) and a 99% treatment adherence rate.
“We are big believers in measurement-based care and outcomes,” Monti said. “The behavioral health space doesn’t do enough to hold itself accountable to good outcomes.”
Navigating Challenges in the Telehealth Landscape
Despite its momentum, Workit Health hasn’t been immune to the challenges facing the telehealth industry. Recently, the company laid off 100 employees in anticipation of proposed DEA restrictions on prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. While these changes have since been postponed until the end of 2024, they highlight the uncertainties in this rapidly evolving space.
Monti notes that even as acceptance of Virtual Addiction Treatment grows, the industry must strike a balance. “There’s a necessary balance of the space trying to define how telehealth is going to exist in the world at scale,” she said.
Looking Ahead: Growth, Sustainability, and Innovation
Workit Health is positioning itself for sustainable growth, with hopes of reaching profitability by the end of 2024. Key to that growth is strengthening partnerships with health plans and expanding community-based features within its app—creating deeper engagement and support for members.
Looking forward, Monti expects the addiction recovery space to broaden its focus to other SUDs, like stimulant use disorder, and to innovate solutions for adolescents—groups often left behind by traditional treatment models.
For Workit, Virtual Addiction Treatment is more than a digital fix. It’s a rethinking of how addiction care can and should be delivered—rooted in compassion, data, accessibility, and lived experience.
Why Workit Health Matters
In a landscape where many addiction treatment providers still require in-person visits, rigid scheduling, or outdated protocols, Workit Health is proving that Virtual Addiction Treatment can be both effective and deeply human. By building care around the lives of real people—not the other way around—they’re reshaping what recovery can look like in the 21st century.
As the industry continues to evolve, Workit stands as a beacon for innovation, empathy, and accountability. Their story shows that when people with lived experience lead the way, the results can be transformative—not just for individuals, but for an entire system.
