Addiction treatment often involves a variety of different therapies and interventions. Many of these are now being delivered through telehealth. This type of remote care can help reduce barriers to accessing care, particularly for people living in rural areas or with mobility issues. It can also help reduce wait times for appointments, which can be a deterrent to beginning treatment. A study published in Psychiatric Services found that people with substance use disorders are more likely to seek treatment when it is offered via telehealth.
Addiction therapists can deliver a wide range of services through telehealth, such as computerized screening applications, texting patients appointment reminders and motivational messages, video and telephone-based therapy, and support groups. However, the most popular telehealth service for addiction treatment is one-to-one counseling sessions. This allows the therapist to build a rapport with the client and provide the individual with the care they need.
In fact, a recent study of telehealth addiction treatment found that people who use a one-to-one telehealth counseling session are just as likely to get help as those who attend group counseling sessions in person. This is a great indication that telehealth addiction treatment works just as well as in-person treatment, and that it should be used to its fullest extent whenever possible.
Telehealth for Addiction is Easy to Use
Another advantage of telehealth is that it eliminates the need to travel. This can be especially beneficial for those who live in rural areas or have trouble getting to traditional addiction treatment centers. It can also be helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing rules and stay at home orders could make traveling very difficult for some.
Additionally, telehealth can be more convenient for people who have children, who need to take care of pets or other responsibilities, or who work full-time and cannot afford to miss hours of pay. All of these factors can contribute to missed appointments, which can have a negative impact on recovery. Telehealth helps to eliminate these excuses by making it easy for people to access treatment without having to worry about extra expenses and time off of work.
Lastly, telehealth can be very private and can feel less intimidating than meeting with a therapist in person. This can be important for people who are embarrassed or ashamed to seek treatment for their addiction. If you are interested in learning more about telehealth addiction treatment, please contact the program of your choice and ask about telehealth services. You can also find therapists that specialize in addiction treatment here on the Navigator.
If you are in need of substance abuse treatment, please do not delay in reaching out. Our team is here to help you start your journey to sobriety. telehealth for addiction