Pelago Expands Digital Substance Use Management Platform to Adolescents

In response to rising substance use disorders (SUD) among adolescents and rising demand from employers, Pelago has announced the expansion of its virtual substance use care platform to include multi-substance support for teenagers. Pelago becomes the first virtual substance use care platform to provide multi-substance adolescent support that includes tobacco, alcohol and opioid treatment.

The move offers hope and effective care to workers impacted by family substance use issues while addressing the alarming rise in adolescent substance use problems. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of this expansion and its potential impact on employers, their workforce and adolescent dependents of employees.

Adolescent Substance Use Disorder: A Growing Concern

According to recent Pelago research, the impact of family members’ substance use issues on U.S. workers is significant, with over one-third of workers reporting having a family member struggling with substance use. The powerful new findings from the recently released Pelago Annual State of Substance Use Management Trend Report also found that nearly half of all U.S. workers have experienced personal or family problems involving substance or alcohol use. The research reveals the pressing need to address substance use disorders not only in adults but also in adolescents to prevent a lifetime of problems and foster healthier futures.

Substance use can have a devastating impact on adolescents, leading to academic, relationship and other societal problems, including criminal activity. It can also increase the risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

In fact, adolescents with substance use disorders often face co-occurring mental health challenges. Recent research indicates that nearly forty-five percent of adolescents with an SUD have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. Such a dual diagnosis can exacerbate their struggles and affect their ability to function effectively, both academically and socially. 

However, access to early treatment for SUDs and any associated mental health issues remains a major challenge, with alarming research showing that of the 5.1 million young adults with a substance use disorder, nearly 9 in 10 did not get treatment. This only creates more worries for parents and guardians of adolescents.

Pelago’s Adolescent Substance Use Management Program

Pelago’s adolescent program is a comprehensive, clinically led and coordinated care program that offers treatment for tobacco, alcohol and opioid use disorders. The program is available to adolescents aged 15 to 17 for tobacco and alcohol SUD treatment, while eligibility for opioid use disorder treatment starts at age 16. The platform ensures that young adults receive high-quality, effective care, similar to what is provided to adult members.

However, access to early treatment for SUDs and any associated mental health issues remains a major challenge, with alarming research showing that of the 5.1 million young adults with a substance use disorder, nearly 9 in 10 did not get treatment. This only creates more worries for parents and guardians of adolescents.

Employers play a vital role in supporting their workforce’s mental health, including addressing substance use disorders among employees and their dependents. By offering Pelago’s adolescent substance use management program as a part of an employee benefits package, employers can empower parents and guardians to focus on their work responsibilities with peace of mind, knowing that their adolescent children have access to top-tier care.

Pelago’s expanded program for adolescents provides an important opportunity for early intervention and treatment. This can be crucial in breaking the cycle of substance use disorders, reducing the likelihood of long-term mental health issues, and is far more effective than attempting to address established substance use issues later in life. Access to effective substance use care can have a positive ripple effect on working individuals, their families, employers, and society as a whole…as it reduces the strain on healthcare systems and improves overall productivity.

Pelago’s Commitment to Quality Care

Pelago’s adolescent program is staffed with qualified professionals trained specifically to provide compliant adolescent care. The platform’s value-based, 100%-fees-at-risk guarantee ensures that employers can offer this much-needed care to employees and their dependents.

By offering early identification, prevention, and treatment, Pelago’s program has the potential to transform the lives of countless adolescents and their families, breaking the cycle of substance misuse an SUDs, this expanded offering delivers hope, support and a path towards a healthier and brighter future for employees and their families.

To learn more about Pelago’s adolescent substance use management program, please visit www.pelagohealth.com