Digital therapeutics developer Click Therapeutics is partnering with Indivior to develop a mobile app for substance use disorder. Indivior is now Click’s third development partner, following deals with Boehringer Ingelheim and Otsuka Pharmaceutical.

There is inadequate substance use disorder support for people who are incarcerated or are leaving incarceration. But there are opportunities to make improvements, experts say.

Affect Therapeutics’ $16 million Series A funding round was led by ARTIS Ventures and included participation from AlleyCorp, CityLight, LifeArc Ventures, Samsung Next and What If Ventures. In total, Affect Therapeutics has raised about $26 million, said Kristin Muhlner, co-founder and CEO of the company.

Author Health helps seniors with serious mental illness and substance use disorders by working with Medicare Advantage plans. The company launched Wednesday with $115 million in financing, and announced that Humana is its first payer partner.

The DEA recently released proposed rules that would require an in-person visit before a patient can receive a telehealth prescription for a controlled substance. The DEA touts the change as a way to ensure patient safety, but several telehealth advocates argue it will greatly disrupt access for those who need the drugs — especially at a time when the mental health and substance use crisis is growing.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a 23% increase in alcohol abuse and a 16% increase in drug abuse, and people in self-isolation reported a 26% higher consumption than usual, according to the National Library of Medicine. Some apps are trying to meet this need, including Sober Sidekick and SoberBuddy.

There are several trends to watch out for in the substance use disorder space in 2023, according to CHESS Health’s CEO Hans Morefield. These trends include rising addiction rates and increased comfort in virtual health.

I write this because of my own personal experience with stealing prescription drugs while employed as a nurse, which led to me serving a four-month jail sentence and losing the career of my dreams.

While telehealth has provided many benefits throughout the pandemic, it can be a lonely and sterile way of receiving treatment. Individuals experiencing substance use disorder who only receive treatment through telehealth may miss opportunities to connect with others in support of the recovery process.

Members of the payer struggling with opioid use disorder can access a full suite of health services offered by Confidant Health that include medication management, therapy, counseling and group support.

Since we know the fundamental causes of the opioid epidemic, why are we still here? It all centers around stigma.

Clinical drug testing gives physicians the ability to uncover potentially problematic drug use and preempt devastating outcomes. Physicians value these tests, but they also want clearer guidelines to optimize their use.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Ali Khawar vows to do whatever is necessary, including suggesting Congress authorize fines, to finally bring insurers into compliance with the 2008 mental health parity law.

The FDA’s clearance for the prescribed app, aimed at individuals as part of outpatient therapy for substance use disorders spanning alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and stimulants, is a major milestone for digital therapeutics and suggests more companies will seek FDA approval.