Oar Health

Oar Health: virtual alcohol treatment with medication delivered to your door

Oar Health is a virtual care platform focused on treating alcohol consumption. Its approach combines an online assessment, review by a licensed clinician, and, when appropriate, a prescription for medication shipped directly to the user's home. The company states that more than 50,000 members have used its services.

How the process works

Access begins with an online assessment in which the person answers questions about their drinking, health, and goals. According to the company, the assessment is private and requires no in-person visit. A licensed clinician then reviews the answers within 24 hours and, if appropriate, prescribes FDA-approved medication that reduces alcohol cravings. If a prescription is issued, the medication ships within days in discreet, unmarked packaging, with no need to visit a pharmacy or generate insurance records.

Medication and treatment goals

The company describes a daily pill designed to reduce the pleasure and reward from alcohol, as well as the frequency and quantity of drinking. The medication has been FDA-approved for over thirty years and can be used alone or alongside other treatments. Oar Health presents the treatment both for those who want to drink less and for those who want to quit entirely, without imposing a single goal.

Clutch, the fast-dissolving alternative

The company offers Clutch, a bitter mint-flavored naltrexone formulation that dissolves under the tongue and is designed to be taken discreetly anywhere. Oar Health notes that Clutch is a compounded medication, not FDA-approved, and is prepared based on a prescription from a healthcare professional.

Plans and coverage

Membership plans start at $99 per month, according to published information. The three-month plan costs $297, equivalent to that monthly rate. Membership includes access to the Oar Health platform, virtual consultations with a healthcare professional, and medication if prescribed. The company states that members save $204 per month on alcohol and that the subscription can be canceled at any time.

Results reported by members

Among Oar Health members who reduced their drinking, the company collects self-reported data: 69% say they work better, 79% sleep better, and 46% lose weight. These are percentages provided by the users themselves, not independently verified clinical results.

Alcohol and health resources

The platform maintains a resources section with content on alcohol and health, alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder, strategies to drink less or quit, treatment options, medication-assisted treatment, and stories of recovery, moderation, and sobriety. It also offers access to experts and a coaching service.