Birmingham-based clearMINDnow, a company that has developed a remote drug testing tool, has launched its product nationwide.
It is designed to provide an alternative to potentially confrontational at-home drug testing and time-consuming lab testing for those struggling with substance use disorder.
ClearMINDnow’s founder, Liz Read, developed the idea for the app and testing process while trying to help her family post-treatment.
“I knew there had to be an easier way – one that would provide accountability and also help rebuild relationships threatened by substance use,” Read said. “ClearMINDnow was literally born at my kitchen table, after many sleepless nights of stressful thinking, ‘there has got to be a better way to do this.’”
To use the tool, members choose from subscription options on the company's website. An enrollment kit is then shipped to the member with all supplies, including saliva test kits. Random tests can occur seven days a week. Facial recognition via the clearMINDnow app verifies the member's identity and human review confirms the recorded, guided collection process. Completed test results are then shared with the member's chosen network of supporters such as a loved one, and/or a monitoring partner, which can include an interventionist, case manager, therapist or peer counselor.
After securing funding by winning the 2020 Alabama Launchpad competition and bringing on local investors, Read and her business partner, Alan Ritchie, expedited research and development, testing and securing monitoring partners.
“We want those who are needing drug testing not to feel like there are so many barriers – perhaps they don’t have transportation to get to a testing site or the site isn’t open when they can get there,” said Ritchie, president at clearMINDnow. “Whether they are testing because it’s mandatory or because they’re motivated to stay on track, we want to make it as convenient as possible."
ClearMINDnow also works for detection in the early stages of substance use disorder, to allow loved ones to know if there is a problem and to get a jump start on the treatment process. Members can test from anywhere that they have a smartphone and Wi-Fi. The app takes a member step-by-step through the 15-to-20-minute process.
