It’s always exciting to see recovery news pop up on the pages of Tech Crunch. The famed digital news site recently published an exciting story about an app in development that can potentially help people curb their opioid and alcohol addictions. Called Quit Genius, it was founded by three established doctors and is currently in the midst of an $11 million Series A investment round.
Based in Silicon Valley, the app had already gained notoriety for its work in helping people with cigarette dependencies. Now they’re hoping to expand into all forms of addiction, with a unique approach that uses virtual technology.
There is no doubt that Quit Genius utilizes a heavy therapeutic angle in its approach. One of the features it touts, is the ability to recognize negative thoughts from a subscriber. The goal of the app would be to help the person replace those emotions with positivity thanks to components like audio sessions, animated videos and interactive exercises.
Doctors Yusuf Sherwani, Sarim Siddiqui and Maroof Ahmed are behind the product, which also includes several high profile investors (including Serena Williams and Eric Reis). The founders explained their overall mission for Quit Genius on the app’s website.
“Our story started when our co-founders, whilst working as medical doctors, recognized that the holistic textbook version of medicine was not at all what was being provided for patients,” the trio said in a statement. “The reality is that a stretched healthcare system fails to engage people in their medical care at the preventative stages. As a result, the $3 trillion currently spent on healthcare goes on to prevents only 10% of premature deaths. With digital therapeutics, we have the opportunity to prevent 40% of premature deaths that are caused by behavioral patterns.”
Per the site, there is also a 25 percent quit rate guarantee. As they put it, their app’s business model is quite different from similar products on the market. For one thing, they do not charge subscribers by the year. Instead, Quit Genius charges people by their engagements, or those who progress on their recovery. And f you don’t curb your habit, they offer money back guarantees.
Tools that accompany the subscription include unlimited one-on-one coaching via text and a breath device to help those coping with alcoholism. There are also artificial intelligence elements that can adapt treatments based on behaviors and personality types.
Though it’s still in the early stages, we are excited to see where Quit Genius and virtual recovery may head. Especially during the country’s latest health crisis.
