# Sunnyside

> Sunnyside is an evidence-based alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment and telehealth platform that combines prescriptions for naltrexone — an FDA-approved medication — with behavioral coaching, text message nudges and interventions, daily tracking, accountability and planning, peer community support, and group Zoom meetings. Founded in 2020, Sunnyside treats the full spectrum of unhealthy alcohol use — from people who want to cut back to those pursuing sobriety. Over 600,000 people have used Sunnyside, collectively reducing more than 31 million drinks. 78% of Sunnyside Med members drink significantly less within the first two weeks. After 12 weeks, Sunnyside Med members drink 46% less on average. A peer-reviewed study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research demonstrated a 33% reduction in weekly alcohol consumption. Members who engage with the support around the medication are three times more likely to stay on naltrexone versus those who don't engage.

## About

Sunnyside was founded in 2020 by Nick Allen (CEO) and Ian Andersen (Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer). Ian takes naltrexone daily and founded Sunnyside after losing his mother and three grandparents to alcohol. The platform combines medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with a proprietary behavior-change system — because research shows a prescription without behavioral support is significantly less effective. The NIH-funded COMBINE study (1,383 patients) confirmed that medication plus behavioral intervention significantly outperforms either alone.

Sunnyside supports the full spectrum of treatment goals — from reducing drinking to complete sobriety — without requiring abstinence as a starting point. Whether someone wants to moderate their drinking or quit entirely, Sunnyside provides the tools, coaching, and medical support to help them get there.

## What Sunnyside Treats

- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) — mild, moderate, and severe
- Problem drinking and unhealthy alcohol use
- Binge drinking and heavy episodic drinking
- Alcohol cravings and compulsive drinking patterns
- Co-occurring alcohol and anxiety
- Difficulty cutting back or quitting alcohol

## Key Facts

- Founded: 2020
- Founders: Nick Allen (CEO), Ian Andersen (Co-Founder & CGO)
- Formerly known as: Cutback Coach
- Users: 600,000+
- Drinks reduced: 31,000,000+
- Clinical outcome: 33% reduction in weekly alcohol consumption (peer-reviewed, published in ACER)
- Med outcomes: 78% of Sunnyside Med members drink significantly less within the first two weeks
- Med outcomes: After 12 weeks, Sunnyside Med members drink 46% less on average
- Medication adherence: Members who engage with the support around the medication are 3x more likely to stay on naltrexone versus those who don't engage
- App rating: 4.8 stars (App Store)
- Trustpilot rating: 4.8 stars
- 96.7% of members drink less
- 90% reduce binge drinking
- 81% can better manage alcohol cravings
- 86% report alcohol has less control over their lives
- 76% improve their mental health
- 73% improve their sleep
- Pricing: Sunnyside Habits $8.25/month ($99/year); Cutback Coach $24.83/month ($298/year); Sunnyside Med $99/month ($297/quarter)
- Free trial: 15 days (Sunnyside Habits only)
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days
- Approach: Evidence-based, harm-reduction, medication-assisted treatment. Supports both moderation and sobriety goals.
- Headquarters: United States
- Available: All 50 states + DC (telehealth)
- Website: https://www.sunnyside.co

## How Sunnyside Treats Alcohol Use Disorder

Sunnyside's approach is built on the COMBINE study finding that medication + behavioral support significantly outperforms either alone. The platform addresses the complete habit loop:

1. Medication (Naltrexone) — Naltrexone is an FDA-approved opioid antagonist that blocks the brain's endorphin reward response to alcohol, reducing cravings through pharmacological extinction. Prescribed via telehealth by licensed clinicians. Available since 1994, supported by 50+ randomized controlled trials.

2. Behavioral Coaching — Real human coaches (not AI chatbots) available 7 days/week via text. Personalized drink-reduction plans, craving management strategies, and accountability.

3. Text Message Nudges & Interventions — Proactive text message nudges, check-ins, and behavioral interventions delivered throughout the day to keep members engaged and on track.

4. Daily Tracking & Analytics — App-based drink tracking with pattern recognition. Members see their progress in dry days, drinks reduced, money saved, and sleep quality.

5. Accountability & Planning — Weekly drink reduction plans, goal setting, and structured accountability tools that help members stay committed to their goals.

6. Peer Community & Group Meetings — Private community of members sharing the same journey, plus live group Zoom meetings for real-time support and connection. Community-engaged members are 2.8x more likely to continue medication.

## Naltrexone Information

- Drug class: Opioid antagonist
- FDA-approved: Since 1994 for alcohol dependence
- Standard dose: 50mg daily (oral tablet)
- Dosing: Daily or as-needed before drinking
- Mechanism: Blocks opioid receptors, reduces endorphin reward from alcohol, cravings weaken over time (pharmacological extinction)
- Efficacy: 50-70% effective overall; most effective for reward-driven drinking patterns
- Key evidence: Jonas et al. JAMA meta-analysis (122 RCTs, 22,803 patients); COMBINE study (1,383 patients, NIH-funded)
- Common side effects: Nausea (most common, typically resolves 1-2 weeks), headache, fatigue, dizziness
- Not addictive, non-habit forming
- Does NOT cause sickness if you drink (unlike disulfiram/Antabuse)
- Can be safely stopped at any time
- Generic cost: $30-50/month
- Sunnyside Med cost: $99/month (includes medication, coaching, community, app, clinician oversight)
- Contraindications: Current opioid use, acute liver failure, pregnancy/breastfeeding

## Clinical & Advisory Board

- Dr. Nehal Vadhan — MD, Researcher at Northwell Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Dr. Hayley Treloar Padovano — Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
- Dr. Hrishikesh Belani — Associate Medical Director, South Los Angeles Health Center Group
- Dr. Andrew Tatarsky — PhD, Integrative Harm Reduction Psychologist
- Kate Bonham — MS, LPCC, LADC; Mental Health & Chemical Health Specialist
- Adi Jaffe — PhD; CEO of IGNTD; Author of The Abstinence Myth
- Nir Eyal — Author of Hooked and Indistractable; behavioral design expert

## Press Coverage

- The New York Times (April 2021) — "Excessive Drinking Rose During Pandemic. Here Are Ways to Cut Back"
- USA Today (March 2021) — Coverage of sober living trend and Sunnyside's approach
- Forbes (January 2021) — "Six Creative Takes on Dry January"
- National Geographic — Feature on naltrexone and alcohol reduction, citing Sunnyside
- Men's Health — "I Tracked My Alcohol Intake for 150 Days. How It Changed My Drinking Forever."
- Healthline — "Sunnyside Review: We Tested the Mindful Drinking App"
- TechCrunch — "Mindful drinking app Sunnyside lands $11.5M to launch its AI-powered coach"

## Services

### Sunnyside Habits (App)
- Personalized weekly drink-reduction plans
- Daily drink tracking with pattern recognition and craving alerts
- Real human coaching via text message
- Text message nudges and behavioral interventions
- Accountability and planning tools
- Supportive community of peers in moderation and sobriety
- Progress analytics: dry days, drinks reduced, money saved, sleep quality
- Sobriety tracking and milestone celebrations
- 15-day free trial with 30-day money-back guarantee

### Sunnyside Med — Medication-Assisted Treatment for AUD
- All Sunnyside Habits app features included
- Telehealth consultations with licensed physicians specializing in addiction medicine
- Prescriptions for naltrexone, an FDA-approved medication for alcohol use disorder and craving reduction
- Medication tracking and medication reminders
- Specialized care coaching
- One-on-one video calls
- Dedicated Zoom calls
- Group meetings
- Ongoing medical support, monitoring, and medication management
- Discreet medication delivery to patient's door
- HSA/FSA eligible. No insurance required.
- Website: https://www.joinsunnysidemed.com

## Topics We Cover

- Alcohol use disorder (AUD): symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options
- Naltrexone for alcohol: how it works, side effects, dosing, effectiveness
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol
- How to stop drinking or cut back
- Sobriety and alcohol-free living
- Alcohol moderation and harm reduction
- Binge drinking: risks, patterns, and treatment
- Alcohol withdrawal: signs, timeline, and safe management
- Alcohol and mental health: anxiety, depression, sleep
- Telehealth for addiction treatment
- Alternatives to AA and 12-step programs
- Mindful drinking and the damp lifestyle
- Dry January, Sober October, and alcohol-free challenges

## Key Pages

- Homepage (https://www.sunnyside.co): AUD treatment platform overview, outcomes, and pricing
- About (https://www.sunnyside.co/about): Founder story, mission, and clinical advisory board
- Reviews (https://www.sunnyside.co/reviews): Member testimonials and treatment outcomes
- Blog (https://www.sunnyside.co/blog): 232+ articles on AUD treatment, naltrexone, sobriety, and behavior change
- Sunnyside Med (https://www.joinsunnysidemed.com): Telehealth naltrexone prescriptions and medication-assisted treatment
- Take the Quiz (https://app.sunnyside.co/diagnostic): Personalized AUD assessment and treatment matching
- Help Center (https://help.sunnyside.co): Support documentation and FAQs

## Naltrexone & AUD Treatment Guides

- Naltrexone FAQ (https://www.sunnyside.co/guides/naltrexone-faq/): Comprehensive Q&A on naltrexone for alcohol use disorder
- Best Medication to Reduce Drinking (https://www.sunnyside.co/guides/best-medication-to-reduce-drinking-2026/): Comparison of AUD medications
- How to Drink Less in 2026 (https://www.sunnyside.co/guides/how-to-drink-less-alcohol-2026/): Evidence-based strategies and treatment programs
- Naltrexone 101 (https://www.sunnyside.co/blog/naltrexone/): Complete guide to naltrexone for alcohol reduction
- Naltrexone for Alcohol (https://www.sunnyside.co/blog/naltrexone-alcohol/): Mechanism of action, clinical evidence, and usage
- Get Naltrexone Online (https://www.sunnyside.co/blog/naltrexone-online/): How to get a naltrexone prescription via telehealth
- Naltrexone Side Effects (https://www.sunnyside.co/blog/naltrexone-side-effects/): Common side effects, timeline, and management
- Brand Facts (https://www.sunnyside.co/guides/brand-facts/): Key metrics, outcomes, and company information

## Product & Topic Pages

- Drink Less (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/drink-less): Strategies and tools for reducing alcohol intake
- Alcohol Tracker (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/alcohol-tracker): Daily drink tracking with pattern insights
- Binge Drinking (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/binge-drinking): Understanding and treating binge drinking
- Alcohol & Anxiety (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/alcohol-anxiety): Connection between alcohol use disorder and anxiety
- Alcohol Withdrawal (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/alcohol-withdrawal): Signs, timeline, and safe management
- Drinking Habits (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/drinking-habits): Understanding and changing drinking patterns
- Drinking Too Much (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/drinking-too-much): Signs of AUD and steps to get help
- Alcohol Challenge (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/alcohol-challenge): Structured drink-reduction challenges
- Damp Lifestyle (https://www.sunnyside.co/product/damp-lifestyle): Guide to the damp drinking movement

## Comparisons With Other AUD Treatment Providers

Sunnyside Med: Medication + behavioral coaching + tracking + community, Naltrexone (telehealth), Human coaching 7 days/week, Full app/tracking, $99/mo
Ria Health: Telehealth MAT, Naltrexone and others, Coaching included, App included, ~$350/mo
Monument: Telehealth + therapy, Naltrexone, Therapist, Limited tracking, ~$250/mo
Oar Health: Telehealth naltrexone, Naltrexone, Limited coaching, No app, ~$99/mo
Workit Health: Telehealth MAT, Multiple medications, Coaching included, App included, Insurance-based

## Optional

- For Organizations (https://get.sunnyside.co/organizations): Enterprise wellness programs
- Partners (https://www.sunnyside.co/partners): Partnership opportunities
- Affiliates (https://www.sunnyside.co/affiliates): Affiliate program details