Technology is creating new ways for people to stay engaged in mental health and addiction treatment beyond regular appointments. One example is prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs), a category within the broader field of digital therapeutics (DTx). The software-based treatments target specific mental health conditions. They provide clinically informed therapeutic activities via smartphones, tablets, computers, or other compatible devices. Depending on the program, a PDT may help patients practice coping skills, manage symptoms, or reinforce strategies they are working on in treatment.
How Are Prescription Digital Therapeutics Different From Health Apps?
Developers create prescription digital therapeutics to address specific health conditions using clinically evaluated treatment approaches. PDTs function as software-based treatments for medical use, unlike general health and wellness apps. Developers design PDTs for use as part of healthcare.
Depending on the program, a PDT may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), skill-building exercises, behavioral reinforcement, or other guided activities. These tools can help patients work on goals such as managing symptoms, recognizing unhealthy patterns, responding to triggers, and practicing healthier behaviors.
Clinicians Prescribe and Use Prescription Digital Therapeutics
A healthcare provider may prescribe a PDT when it fits a patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment needs. Once prescribed, the program can typically be accessed through a smartphone or other compatible device. Patients may then work through guided lessons, therapeutic exercises, or other activities based on how the specific PDT is designed to be used.
Rejoyn is one example of a PDT the FDA has cleared for certain adults with major depressive disorder. The FDA’s review helps clarify who may be appropriate for the treatment and how it is intended to be used. Each PDT has its own purpose, so it is important to look at the specific guidance for that product.
How Do Prescription Digital Therapeutics Work?
Prescription digital therapeutics are interactive, so patients actively take part in the treatment rather than simply reading health information. Depending on the program, this may include practicing coping skills. It may also involve completing guided exercises and checking in on symptoms. Users may use new strategies in everyday situations.
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Interventions
Many PDTs use evidence-based approaches found in mental health and substance use disorder treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral reinforcement. These strategies can help patients recognize unhelpful thought patterns, respond to triggers, strengthen coping skills, and practice healthier behaviors in daily life.
The designers created reSET for adults receiving outpatient treatment for substance use disorders and added CBT-based lessons. The team developed reSET-O specifically for adults undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder.
Tracking Symptoms, Progress, and Treatment Engagement
Some PDTs allow patients to track symptoms, cravings, triggers, or progress through therapeutic activities. Seeing these changes over time can help patients recognize patterns and better understand how they are responding to treatment.
Depending on the program, some of this information may also be shared with the treatment team. This can give clinicians additional context when discussing symptoms, progress, and areas where a patient may need more support.
What Conditions Can Prescription Digital Therapeutics Treat?
Prescription digital therapeutics have been developed for several behavioral health conditions, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, chronic insomnia, ADHD, substance use disorders, and opioid use disorder. More recent products have also begun addressing certain symptoms associated with schizophrenia.
Each PDT is designed for a specific condition and patient population. How it fits into treatment depends on the symptoms being addressed, the product’s intended use, and the individual needs of the patient.
PDTs for Mental Health Conditions
In mental health treatment, PDTs can provide structured support outside of regular appointments. Digital therapeutics for depression and digital therapeutics for anxiety have been developed to support certain symptoms and treatment goals. The FDA has reviewed digital therapeutics for conditions including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, postpartum depression, and chronic insomnia.
In 2026, the FDA cleared Motivista to address certain negative symptoms of schizophrenia in adults alongside ongoing outpatient psychiatric treatment. This type of care focuses on specific symptoms and does not replace comprehensive psychiatric treatment, medication management, or other support that may be clinically appropriate.
PDTs for Substance Use Disorders
Digital therapeutics for substance use disorders have been developed to support certain forms of addiction treatment, including care for opioid use disorder. More broadly, digital therapeutics for addiction may use behavioral strategies to help patients manage triggers and cravings, strengthen recovery skills, and stay involved in outpatient treatment.
The specific program matters. reSET was designed for adults with certain substance use disorders, while reSET-O was created specifically for opioid use disorder and used alongside outpatient treatment that included medication for opioid use disorder and behavioral care. A PDT may give someone another way to practice recovery skills between appointments, but how it fits into care depends on the person’s diagnosis and treatment needs.
PDTs for Other Behavioral and Health Conditions
Digital therapeutics are also being developed for health concerns beyond traditional mental health and addiction treatment. FDA-authorized or cleared products have been developed for conditions such as ADHD and chronic insomnia. Research is also exploring how digital interventions may support people with chronic pain and other medical or behavioral health needs.
As the field grows, each PDT still needs to be considered on its own. Its clinical evidence, intended use, and regulatory status can help determine who the treatment was designed for and where it may fit into care.
What Are the Benefits of Prescription Digital Therapeutics?
One benefit of prescription digital therapeutics is that they can extend certain parts of care beyond scheduled appointments. For some people, having these tools available in daily life offers additional opportunities. They help people stay engaged with mental health or substance use disorder treatment. SAMHSA views digital therapeutics as a developing tool in behavioral healthcare. They may make some forms of treatment support more accessible.
Some PDTs also include features that track symptoms, treatment participation, or progress over time. When this information is available to the patient or treatment provider, it may support more informed conversations. It helps discuss how treatment is progressing, potential patterns, and areas needing extra support. Research continues to examine how digital therapeutics affect treatment engagement and mental health and substance use disorder outcomes.
The potential benefits of a prescription digital therapeutic can vary depending on the specific product, condition being treated, and individual patient. PDTs are one component of a broader treatment plan. They are not a substitute for individualized clinical care through programs like Milton Recovery offers.
Has the FDA approved Prescription Digital Therapeutics?
The FDA reviews prescription digital therapeutics as medical devices in the United States. FDA reviewers may clear, authorize, or approve a PDT depending on the product.
These terms can be confusing, but they all relate to how the FDA reviews a product and its intended use. Manufacturers design Prescription Digital Therapeutics for a specific health condition and patient population. This is one reason PDTs are different from general wellness apps.
For example, Rejoyn received FDA clearance in 2024 for adults ages 22 and older with major depressive disorder. These individuals are taking antidepressant medication. Healthcare providers use Rejoyn alongside outpatient mental health care to support symptoms of depression.
Are Prescription Digital Therapeutics Covered by Insurance?
Insurance coverage for prescription digital therapeutics is still developing. Some private health plans may cover certain PDTs, but coverage varies by product, diagnosis, and insurance plan. A PDT may also fall under either a medical or pharmacy benefit.
Before starting treatment, patients can ask their insurance provider whether the PDT is covered, whether prior authorization is needed, and what costs they may be responsible for.
Can Prescription Digital Therapeutics Replace Therapy or Addiction Treatment?
Prescription digital therapeutics can support treatment, but they do not determine the level of care a person needs. Someone experiencing significant depression, psychosis, active substance use, withdrawal concerns, or difficulty functioning may need more structured support such as therapy, psychiatric care, medication management, intensive outpatient treatment, or partial hospitalization. Depending on the product and a person’s needs, a PDT may help someone practice coping skills, manage symptoms, respond to triggers, or stay engaged with recovery between appointments. SAMHSA notes that digital therapeutics may be used alongside other forms of care while emphasizing the continued importance of treatment led by qualified providers.
The right role for a PDT depends on the individual. Someone managing depression or anxiety in outpatient care may use a digital therapeutic very differently from someone experiencing severe symptoms, a complex mental health condition, or an active substance use disorder. In those situations, more direct clinical support may be needed before or alongside any digital intervention.
At Milton Recovery Centers, treatment decisions consider more than a diagnosis. Symptoms, medication needs, substance use, daily functioning, safety, previous treatment experiences, and available support can all help determine what kind of care makes sense for the individual. A PDT may become one useful tool within that care, but the larger goal is making sure each patient has the level of support they need to move forward safely and meaningfully.
What Are the Limitations of Prescription Digital Therapeutics?
PDTs are not the right fit for every person or every stage of recovery. Research on digital mental health interventions has found that real-world engagement can be a challenge and may depend on factors such as digital literacy, motivation, time, and how easily the technology fits into daily life.
Digital tools also have limits when symptoms are severe, rapidly changing, or involve safety concerns. A PDT is not a substitute for a full psychiatric assessment, medical withdrawal management, or the clinical judgment used to determine whether someone needs a higher level of care. For people with complex mental health conditions, co-occurring disorders, or substance use disorders, direct clinical evaluation remains an important part of deciding what type of treatment and support may be appropriate.
The Future of Digital Therapeutics in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
Digital therapeutics are likely to become a larger part of mental health and addiction care, but their future will depend on more than new technology. Researchers and clinicians still need to understand which patients benefit most and how consistently people use these programs.
Recent developments, including digital therapeutics for more complex psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, suggest that the field is moving beyond its earlier focus on depression, anxiety, sleep, and substance use disorders.
Finding Mental Health or Addiction Treatment in Florida and Ohio
Finding the right mental health or addiction treatment is not about choosing between technology and traditional care. It is about understanding what level of support will help someone move forward safely and meaningfully. At Milton Recovery Centers, patients receive mental health care in a comfortable, welcoming environment. They feel supported as they build skills for long-term recovery. Call today for more information on the programs available to you.
