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ZackGray

66 karma · joined October 6, 2011

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ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
This is incredible feedback, thank you. I’m happy to hear that MAT has helped. Here’s some color:

1. We need to be licensed in each state in which we operate, which limits our reach.

2. Our lawyers tell us that a “referral program” is illegal. Sounds stupid to me.

3. I think you’re right about the phone call. What would you recommend instead? We have the text prompt up top, but it’s not the main call to action.

You seem like a great person to get to know. Email me if you’re interested in chatting more. I appreciate it.

ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
This is great feedback. I would love to talk more about this. If you’re open to it, send me an email at zack@meetophelia.com.
ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
Thanks Tony, your support means a lot. I will email you to continue this conversation. Looking forward to hearing more.
ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
I'm so sorry to hear that, but I really appreciate your words of support, and I hope whoever you know who is struggling is doing OK. The biggest barrier to accessing treatment is just the lack of awareness that it exists. Please reach out if you want to chat or want more information as they consider options.
ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
This is a great question. Our medical directors have published a lot of research on this protocol (MAT). If you're interested, I recommend this book by Dr. Bisaga: https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Opioid-Addiction-Authorita...

More generally: MAT is very well researched, vetted, and accepted by the medical community. Our innovation is in the delivery of this treatment, through ways that make it easier to opt into and stick with. MAT has historical adherence rates of 60-70% (same as diabetes and depression), but often people drop out because they grow tired of visiting a clinic regularly for group therapy, just to get their medication refilled. We think we can increase adherence rates by making MAT less of a burden to people, particularly as they enter into the later stages of treatment.

ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
Thanks so much. The brand design is really important to me, so I am glad that it resonates with you.
ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
I really appreciate that - and it's useful to me! Thank you.
ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
Thanks! That's definitely a good suggestion, but there's always the risk they disapprove of something like this and then reject our certification - which would make it not worth it.
ZackGray··on Launch HN: Ophelia (YC W20) – At-home recovery for opioid addiction
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm interested to see how kratom fits into the longer-term solution. An issue right now is that its formulation is not standard, so there are different brands with different concentrations, which makes it difficult to "prescribe" as medicne. Another problem is that it's sold at smoke shops along with vape pens and paraphernalia, so people who aren't already using opioids are trying it out of curiosity and becoming accidentally dependent.