Hello and welcome to Pelago!

Congratulations on taking this journey to a healthier, happier you. Whether your goals are to cut back, manage, or eliminate alcohol — you're in the right place.

This guide is meant to help you understand everything that is available to you throughout your journey — who your care team will be, what the program entails, how to use the app and everything you will need to know about medication, if you choose to explore medication options.

Let us work around your schedule. Our program is fully virtual, delivered via a convenient app, meaning you can achieve goals at a pace that works for you.

Get peace-of-mind with a completely anonymous and confidential program. Only you and your personalized care team will know you’re in the program — not your employer.

Achieve your individual goals with a personalized treatment program (and industry-leading success rates to boot).

Save money by getting the best treatment for your substance use. Whether you’re looking to cut back or stop entirely, our program is free to you and covered by your benefit provider.

DO NOT attempt to abruptly stop drinking alcohol prior to speaking with your Pelago Provider. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Alcohol detox should only be attempted under close medical supervision. You will work with your Pelago Provider to determine a safe course of treatment that will be tailored to your individual situation and needs.

Our Counselors provide highly trained guidance and support via in-app video/audio and chat messaging throughout your journey. Your counselor is someone you will meet with regularly or as often as you need. They will provide support when you need it, facilitate your conversations, help you set goals, and create a plan to stick with.

Our dedicated member support team is available to resolve your needs as they arise. This team can assist in any app issues, prescription questions, and scheduling needs. They are committed to ensuring you receive the best support possible. Our team is available by email or phone. Hours: 8am - 5pm EST | members@pelagohealth.com |‪ (201) 263-4718

To ensure that you will have access to care at all times, we also offer a complimentary Live Care Hotline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to all members.

If you find yourself in need of support after hours (8am-5pm EST) please call our Hotline at 1.877.349.7755

Your Healthcare Provider is a qualified Physician or Nurse Practitioner who will help to facilitate the medication portion of the program, if you choose to include this option in your journey. You will meet with them regularly over video to receive ongoing medication support.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common and best studied forms of therapy. Pelago content is designed with CBT in mind.

The basic principle is always the same: what we think, how we feel and how we behave are all closely connected – and all of these factors have a decisive influence on our well-being.

Not all CBT will use all of these strategies. Pelago members will work with their Counselors to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop strategies and goals to success.

As part of the Pelago program, members are provided with the option to receive a free breathalyzer, mailed directly to your door!

The breathalyzer is a tool used to track insights and set goals along your journey. It also a safe gadget to keep on hand to keep yourself and others safe.

If you choose to track your results, we suggest completing a breathalyzer test every 30 days and see if you notice any changes or differences over the course of a few months.

You can either track data in the breathalyzer's corresponding app called BACtrack (links below) or share your insights directly with your Counselor and they will track it in your Member Profile.

For further instructions and details on the Breathalyzer, you can access the information online below:

This can be because you are blowing too hard, too soft or not for long enough. Make sure to blow steadily into the breath sensor for 6 seconds. Press the power button to restart the countdown cycle and retest.

Make sure to wait at least 20 minutes after drinking, eating or smoking before testing. Not observing this waiting period can cause inaccurate readings and damage the sensor.

You are not in Standalone mode. Hold the power button for 7 seconds to switch modes.

Medication-Assisted Treatment is the use of prescribed medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapy, to aid in an addiction recovery process.

Please note: this option is not applicable to everyone's journey and all members have the choice to opt-in or out.

In order to be prescribed medication, members must virtually meet with a medical provider to be evaluated accordingly.

During the first appointment, if a Pelago Provider finds it necessary to prescribe you medication, you will receive your first prescription. During this appointment, you will work together to develop a treatment plan that is right for you and will have regular check-in’s to evaluate how everything is going.

Your initial order of medication may be sent to your local pharmacy. Moving forward, your prescriptions can be shipped directly to your door in a 1-3 month supply, please let your Provider know what you prefer.

Naltrexone is the medication we use to treat members. In short, the medication binds to the endorphin receptors in the body and blocks the pleasurable effects and feelings of alcohol.

By blocking the pleasure response to alcohol, naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings and the amount of alcohol consumed.

Once you stop drinking, taking naltrexone may help you have a better relationship with alcohol, or help you stop drinking altogether, if that is your goal.

Please contact Member Support or your counselor to schedule an initial appointment with a Provider if you’d like to learn more.

You may encounter side effects such as nausea, sleepiness, headache, dizziness, vomiting, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping or other complaints while taking this medication.

Typically, medication side effects are temporary and will resolve within a couple of weeks as your body adjusts to taking the medication.

If you are experiencing side effects that are difficult to manage, your provider may suggest reducing the amount of medication to half a tablet daily, or even ¼ tablet daily until you are able to tolerate a higher dosage.

Please discuss any medication changes with your medical provider first.

Let your medical provider know immediately if you have any of the following:

If you are experiencing any thoughts of self-harm we encourage you to contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, where you will have access to a trained professional to receive immediate support.

If you find yourself in an emergency or urgent care need, we encourage and recommend that you contact your local emergency or crisis department (911).

Your overall health and wellbeing is top priority. If you find yourself in need of additional resources outside of Pelago, our Member Support Team is dedicated in helping you find those resources, either virtually or in-person in your local area.

Some examples of these resources can include things such as mental health support, financial + career support or basic needs (housing, food, etc). Please let your counselor know or email us directly at members@pelagohealth.com.

Your experience and feedback is very important to us. If issues or concerns arrive, you can speak directly to your counselor.

However, if you are not comfortable discussing this with your counselor and you’d like to reach the management team directly, please use this ONLINE FORM.

Your Member Account is your medical record while you are receiving care. Please ensure that your contact information is always current and up to date to ensure your prescriptions and/or program supplies are sent to the correct address.

If your information and mailing address changes, please let your Counselor know or send an email to members@pelagohealth.com

To request any medical or appointment records, please email our Member Support Team directly at members@pelagohealth.com

In order to release any records, members are will be required to electronically sign a Release of Information form documenting a consented release.

To delete your account and be removed from Pelago Services, please email the Member Support Team directly at members@pelagohealth.com

Note: Even if you cancel and remain an employee with a participating employer, you will continue to have free access to our services and can re-enroll at any time.

The Pelago App replaces traditional telephone coaching programs with a technology-enabled digital clinic designed to help members access evidence-based care wherever they are.

Engage in mobile content, keep in touch with your care team and personalize tracking — all at your finger tips.

On your Smart Phone, navigate to the App Store or Google Play Store and type in the search bar 'Pelago.'

Select the Pelago app (shown below) and tap to install/download to your phone. If you are on your smartphone, you can tap the direct links below:

Apple Download

Google Download

Once you've downloaded the app to your phone, tap to open. A login screen will pop up.

Log in using the same email and password you used and created in the registration flow.

In the Login screen of the app, enter the exact email you've registered with. Skip the password box and tap the link below that says: "Forgotten Password?"

Verify the email that is registered to your account and tap "Continue."

You will receive an email with a verification code. Check your email and put in the verification code along with a new password. Tap 'Reset Password' and you can now log in with your new credentials. (Note: the email may go to your spam folder)

Your Home Screen will contain a few elements, depending where you are in your journey. In the home screen, you will find:

In the Home screen, all appointments can be seen by tapping the calendar icon on the top right hand of the screen.

On the day of your appointment, it will appear in your Home screen under "Today's Priority."

At the time of your appointment, you will receive an audio or video call to your phone from your Provider/Counselor. Tap the green button to answer.

Before you first appointment:

You will need to ensure that the Pelago app has permission to access your camera and microphone for your televisits.

Enabling Notifications is a vital tool when using the Pelago app.

When notifications are enabled, you will be notified when a Counselor sends you a chat, when your appointments are coming up (1 hour and 10mins before), as well as a reminder for your daily-check in to provide insights of your journey.

To enable notifications, navigate to your phone "Settings" and "Notifications" to customize and turn them on for the Pelago app.

The 'Counselor' tab in the app is where you will access the chat function.

This is where you can send a message and communicate with your Counselor if you have any questions, concerns, need to reschedule an appointment, etc.

Or, if you are looking for general support and encouragement, do not hesitate to reach out.

Medication-Assisted Treatment is optional and will be included based on the program that you register for.

In the 'Medication' tab, you will find information on who our Health Practitioners are, education on the specific medication designated for your program, as well as which medication is prescribed to you, after meeting with a Provider.

The Insights Tab is a goal setting tool and visual reminder of your journey overtime.

Your daily check-in's, which come from answering the question "Did you drink today?" all contribute towards this data so that you are able to view how you are progressing on a daily and monthly basis.

These insights can even shed light on possible patterns and trends that you can discuss with your Counselor to work through.

Keep in mind: it is normal for a journey to have uphills and downhills. Honest data is the best data.

Packs - Packs are short sessions focused on CBT. Go through this content at your own pace and revisit whenever needed.

When craving - When craving are listening and breathing exercises to utilize at any given moment when you need motivation, are feeling stressed, etc.

To locate your Profile Details and Settings, tap on the 👤 icon on the top right hand of your Home Screen.

For any additional assistance, email members@pelagohealth.com