Pelago

What Pelago is

Pelago is a virtual-first substance use care platform designed to treat tobacco, alcohol, opioid, cannabis, and stimulant use disorders. Unlike many addiction treatment services that operate direct-to-consumer, Pelago is sold through employers and health plans: it is part of a benefits package, not an app you download on your own. It is a specialty care program built on the premise that substance use affects more employees than most organizations realize and drives higher medical costs across entire populations. The company quantifies this: it estimates that only 10 percent or less of those suffering from a substance use disorder ever receive treatment, and that substance use drives 15,000 dollars in annual healthcare spending per affected employee.

The company is physician-led, combining digital tools with live clinical support. The model is called virtual-first and is engineered around engagement and outcome. The service operates nationwide with same-day access in most cases. The platform is built for adults, with a separate adolescent program for younger people. Clinical leadership is rooted in addiction science rather than general medicine, which matters because addiction is a distinct medical specialty.

How care is delivered and what you get

Pelago combines three elements: digital tools that track usage and support habit change; live clinical support from an expert care team; and medication-assisted treatment options. The digital tools include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) content, daily tracking tools, and personalized guidance. You can check the box for "I didn't have any drinks today" and use that accountability factor, or engage with support materials when you need them.

The live support side has a physician-led team of doctors, nurses, coaches, and counselors. Access to that team is described as unlimited, meaning you are not limited to a set number of sessions per month. The company specifically states it serves members with co-occurring mental illness and other chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. For people with multiple diagnoses, this matters because most addiction programs don't integrate mental health or chronic disease management. Pelago says it helps with that integration.

For medication-assisted treatment, Pelago operates "PelagoRX," a hub for confidential prescriptions with straightforward integration to pharmacy partners. The company doesn't specify which medications are available for which substances on the main page. It does have partnerships with high-quality inpatient treatment facilities, including RCA and Banyan, for people who need a higher level of care. If you need inpatient detox or residential treatment, Pelago coordinates your care and transitions you back to the virtual program after discharge so you don't lose continuity.

The platform includes remote monitoring tools: breathalyzers for alcohol, urinary test kits, and other at-home devices used to track program outcomes and keep members engaged. Round-the-clock virtual support means you can access the app and support resources any time you need them, not just during business hours.

What the company reports on outcomes

Pelago publishes clinical outcomes by substance, all drawn from members currently using the platform. For alcohol, the company states that members reduce alcohol use by 62 percent within 30 days and drink an average of 70 percent less on drinking days. For tobacco, 44 percent of members report no tobacco use within 12 months. For opioids, 67 percent of Pelago members are opioid-free for at least three months after starting treatment. The company also notes that 40 percent of adult substance use disorders and 60 percent of adolescent substance use disorders are linked to cannabis, framing cannabis as a significant portion of the addiction landscape.

The company emphasizes research: it has 15 peer-reviewed publications showing impact on engagement, clinical improvement, and medical savings. A 2025 substance use cost report was mentioned, and webinars on the ROI of compassionate care are available. The company positions itself as clinically vetted and backed by research, which differentiates it from self-guided or app-only approaches.

On the employer side, the pitch is that substance use costs employers 15,000 dollars in annual healthcare expenditure per affected employee, and that Pelago generates 6,700 dollars per participant medical cost savings in the first year. Only 10 percent or less of those suffering from a substance use disorder receive treatment, so Pelago is working in a market where most people never access care.

What Pelago doesn't specify

The company does not publish pricing on this main page. Pricing is negotiated through employers and health plans, not set as a consumer price. The service is not available direct-to-consumer; you access it through your employer or your insurance plan. If you have coverage through an employer or plan that contracts with Pelago, you would know that from your benefits materials. The page doesn't list out which employers or health plans currently offer Pelago, which medications are available for which substances, wait times for access, or geographic limitations. The page doesn't detail the difference between the adult and adolescent programs beyond their existence.

Who it fits

Pelago fits people whose employer or health plan includes it in their benefits. If your employer has an addiction treatment benefit through Pelago, you can access the service as part of that coverage. If your insurance plan contracts with Pelago, you can reach out through your plan. The service is designed for employees and plan members of any age group (with an adolescent pathway), working in any industry.

It does not fit people without employer or plan access to Pelago. It is not a standalone app you purchase or sign up for independently. You cannot call Pelago directly and enroll as a cash patient; enrollment is through benefits administration. The site does not publish direct consumer contact information or an intake phone number; instead it offers employer and plan sales contacts.

For someone managing multiple health conditions alongside substance use, or someone who has failed other programs and needs a coordinated care model, Pelago's integration of mental health, chronic disease management, and medication alongside digital tools and live support might be a fit. For someone in a recovery peer group or mutual-aid tradition who prefers support without clinical structure, or someone who doesn't have the digital literacy or devices to engage with tracking tools, a more traditional in-office or group program might be a better match.

The company frames itself as stigma-free and designed around personal goals: it is not a one-size-fits-all program that demands abstinence, but rather works toward the outcomes you set for yourself. For some people that is abstinence, for others it is moderation or harm reduction. That framing is accessible to people who are ambivalent about change or who have struggled with all-or-nothing treatment philosophies in the past.