Who they are: DxRx Medical
What they do: They built an app that helps people struggling with their alcohol use either cut back or stop drinking altogether.
Why it's cool: Most alcoholics aren't getting the treatment they need, according to research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Just 8 percent of U.S. adults suffering from alcohol use disorder got treatment at a facility in 2015.
“It’s the last major chronic disease which is essentially untreated in the United States,” said DxRx founder David Deacon. His co-founder, Dr. John Mendelson, is a medical doctor who specializes in addiction.
That’s where San Francisco-based DxRx comes in. New patients start by having a video interview with a doctor, after which they receive a diagnosis and likely a prescription for a drug such as Naltrexone — which is intended to reduce the craving for alcohol. A counselor speaks to the patient at least once a week, either by phone, video call or text, and the app tracks the patient’s progress. The patient is asked to buy a breathalyzer and test his or her blood alcohol level every morning and evening. The app’s analytics also can predict when a patient is going to have a relapse, and take steps to avoid that setback.
DxRx is intended for alcoholics or anyone who would rather drink less, from people who tend to have a few too many at parties, to people who drink a bottle of liquor every day. The idea is to change problematic drinking habits before they get out of hand, Deacon says. And the platform won’t force patients to give up alcohol entirely, instead allowing them to drink in moderation. Though programs like Alcoholics Anonymous tend to say even one drink can be damaging for someone in recovery, Deacon argues such an approach is outdated and deters people from seeking help.
DxRx costs $99 a month, but Deacon says the platform plans to accept insurance starting in September.
Where they stand: DxRx has treated 95 patients throughout California since launching at the start of this year. Of those, five have dropped out, five have "graduated," and 85 are still in treatment. The startup comes out of the San Francisco-based IndieBio Accelerator.
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