Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects millions of people across the United States, but the traditional model of treatment—focused primarily on complete abstinence—does not fit everyone’s needs or desires. For some, giving up alcohol entirely is not realistic or even desired. Recognizing this, Oar Health, a New York City-based digital addiction treatment company, has developed a unique approach centered on flexible alcohol use disorder treatment that accommodates both individuals seeking abstinence and those aiming to reduce their alcohol consumption. This patient-centered philosophy is a cornerstone of Oar Health’s business model and sets it apart in the increasingly crowded digital mental health space.
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman, the CEO of Oar Health, told Behavioral Health Business, “We want to serve … everyone who could benefit from a different relationship with alcohol whether that be moderation or quitting.” This openness to varied recovery goals broadens the company’s appeal and addresses the realities of people’s diverse experiences with alcohol.
The Scope of the Problem: Alcohol Use Disorder in America
The need for flexible alcohol use disorder treatment options is urgent. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 28.3 million Americans aged 12 and older met the criteria for AUD. Furthermore, 138.5 million reported drinking alcohol, with 61.6 million engaging in binge drinking and 17.7 million identified as heavy drinkers in the month prior to the survey.
Given these numbers, there is a clear demand for accessible, effective, and patient-tailored treatment models that address a wide spectrum of drinking behaviors and goals. Oar Health’s dual focus on moderation and abstinence meets this demand head-on.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Digital Addiction Treatment
Oar Health’s leadership has identified three key pitfalls that many digital addiction platforms fall into—and they’ve structured their company specifically to avoid them:
One-Size-Fits-All Clinical Goals
Many digital and traditional addiction treatments adopt abstinence as the only acceptable outcome. This rigid standard can alienate people who are unwilling or unable to commit to complete sobriety, potentially leaving them without help.
Oar Health explicitly embraces both abstinence and moderation as equally valid clinical goals, making flexible alcohol use disorder treatment a reality. By doing so, they can serve a broader range of patients, from those ready to quit drinking entirely to those who want to regain control and reduce harm by drinking less. This inclusive stance recognizes the complex nature of addiction and personal motivation.
Forcing All Patients Into Uniform Programs
Rigid program structures with fixed schedules, mandatory group sessions, or inflexible appointments can create barriers to engagement and retention.
Instead, Oar Health offers a member-led experience, allowing patients to select treatment options that feel right for them at the moments they need it most. Patients access an online, DSM-V-based clinical assessment anytime and can engage with services on demand without rigid scheduling constraints.
This approach empowers patients, respecting their autonomy and unique needs, and helps maintain engagement in recovery, a key feature of flexible alcohol use disorder treatment.
Simply Digitizing In-Person Care
Some digital health platforms attempt to replicate traditional, in-person therapy models in a digital environment without innovation.
Oar Health aims to be a truly digital-first platform, reimagining how evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing can be delivered effectively online. The company is developing apps (currently in beta) designed to provide empathetic, expert care in ways uniquely suited to digital delivery. This innovation increases accessibility and can lower the stigma around seeking addiction treatment, key to advancing flexible alcohol use disorder treatment.
What Oar Health Offers: Comprehensive and Personalized Care
At the core of Oar Health’s model are four foundational elements that combine technology and clinical expertise to deliver flexible, individualized care:
- Dynamic Digital Assessments: Available 24/7, patients complete a thorough DSM-V-based evaluation online, which forms the basis for their personalized treatment plans. This continuous accessibility allows people to seek help when they’re ready.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Oar Health provides access to FDA-approved medications for AUD, most notably naltrexone, through partnerships including prescription fulfillment via Health Warehouse pharmacy. MAT is essential for many patients, especially those seeking abstinence.
- Digital Tools and Content: Patients can access interactive apps on iOS and Android platforms that help them track, understand, and manage their drinking behaviors, supporting goals ranging from moderation to abstinence.
- Unlimited Clinician Access: Ongoing support is a priority. Patients have unlimited access to a network of clinicians—primarily physicians and nurse practitioners—trained specifically in addiction medicine. These clinicians are not direct employees but receive rigorous, Oar Health–specific training to ensure consistent, expert care.
For patients focused on quitting alcohol, medication-assisted treatment often plays a central role. For those seeking to moderate their drinking, the digital tools and educational content provide practical, day-to-day strategies to change behaviors, embodying the principles of flexible alcohol use disorder treatment.
Navigating Regulatory and Market Challenges
Unlike many digital addiction treatment companies focused on opioid-use disorder (OUD) that manage controlled substances like buprenorphine, Oar Health’s use of naltrexone—a non-controlled substance—means it is not restricted by the reinstatement of the Ryan Haight Act’s in-person prescription requirements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) waived these requirements, enabling telehealth startups to flourish. However, many fear that these flexibilities will not last.
By managing a medication that does not require controlled-substance restrictions, Oar Health avoids this potential regulatory obstacle, positioning itself for sustainable growth and offering continued access to flexible alcohol use disorder treatment.
Backing and Growth: From Startup to Scale
Founded in 2020 and launched in January 2021, Oar Health emerged from NewCo, a startup incubator backed by IAC/InterActiveCorp (Nasdaq: IAC). IAC invested under $10 million to help bring the company’s vision to life.
Today, Oar Health operates in 27 states and serves several thousand patients—a number Hunt-Glassman declined to specify in detail but confirmed is growing. The company’s clinical team numbers approximately 30 professionals who provide care through the platform.
As the digital mental health sector faces consolidation with potential waves of mergers and acquisitions, Oar Health’s differentiated model—focusing on flexibility, moderation, and digital innovation—may prove resilient in a competitive landscape and a leader in flexible alcohol use disorder treatment.
Future Directions: Expanding Beyond Alcohol
Oar Health is actively exploring how to expand its approach beyond alcohol use disorder to other forms of addiction and compulsive behaviors. A tobacco cessation program is slated for launch later in 2022, signaling the company’s intention to broaden its impact.
This expansion reflects a commitment to helping individuals reshape their relationships not only with alcohol but with other substances and behaviors that affect health and well-being, further advancing the scope of flexible alcohol use disorder treatment.
Why Oar Health Matters: A New Model for a Complex Issue
The traditional narrative around AUD treatment—that quitting alcohol completely is the only path—leaves many people without viable options. Oar Health challenges this paradigm by acknowledging that recovery is deeply personal and that moderation can be a legitimate and effective goal.
By combining advanced technology, clinical expertise, and a flexible, patient-centered philosophy, Oar Health opens the door for more people to seek help and sustain healthier relationships with alcohol on their own terms. This is the essence of flexible alcohol use disorder treatment—adapting care to meet patients where they are.
If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol use but is unsure about committing to complete abstinence, Oar Health’s approach may offer the compassionate, customized support needed to start a new journey toward balance and wellness. Their innovative platform continues to evolve, promising to meet the complex needs of those living with AUD in a rapidly changing digital health landscape.
