Telehealth in Substance Abuse Treatment

Telehealth is used to address many physical and mental health diagnoses. Online and distance therapy techniques are also frequently used for mental health conditions like substance use disorders.

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth allows healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technology. The approach has become very popular and it is becoming an increasingly important part of the American healthcare infrastructure.

Telemedicine allows healthcare professionals to reach people and areas that were once near impossible. Thanks to the ever-growing accessibility of technology people can now receive healthcare wherever they are through their phone, tablet, or computer. Over 90% of Americans use and have access to the internet, making healthcare accessible to 9 in 10 individuals – far more accessible than ever before.

Telehealth services are used for almost all levels of addiction and substance use treatment. Currently, the most frequently used telehealth options for substance abuse are:

• Computerized screenings and assessments: Medical staff can perform tests and evaluations live over the internet. Clients can also complete online surveys that a professional reviews afterward. 
• Telephone-based recovery support: Support groups attend meetings over the phone and internet rather than in-person to encourage peers in recovery.
• Telehealth therapy: Appointments over the phone and internet with a professional therapist help identify and resolve issues that threaten a person’s recovery. 

Advantages of Telehealth

There are a lot of advantages to receiving treatment through telehealth platforms.

Increased Flexibility

Since the sessions can take place from anywhere you have an internet connection, it’s easier for you to find time to attend treatment. You don’t have to worry about taking time off work or school.

Decreased Stigma

Unfortunately, many people hesitate to access treatment because of the stigma that still exists in our culture. Telehealth can help break down some of that stigma because it’s so easily accessible. Receiving treatment in privacy of your home can increase your comfort levels during treatment.

Wider Access

Many rural areas lack addiction treatment services. With telehealth, your counselor could be located across the state. This makes it much easier to access treatment services. Telehealth is also beneficial for those who cannot drive or leave the house due to illness, injury, disability, or lack of transportation.

During the coronavirus outbreak, telehealth makes it possible to continue treatment while following social distancing guidelines and stay at home orders.

More Frequent Touchpoints

Telehealth also makes it easier to connect with your therapist and support system. You can text, email, or call your counselor to check in between sessions or reach out in a crisis situation. You may also attend sessions more frequently since you can access them from home. These frequent touchpoints will help motivate you to continue on your recovery journey.

Why Use Telehealth?

Utilizing telemedicine has many benefits. For example, telemedicine:

1. Eliminates transportation time and costs associated with going to treatment.

2. Saves you time off work.

3. Reduces stress associated with having to find child or elder care when you’re in treatment.

4. Reduces your and your family’s exposure to illness (COVID-19, for example).

Like all other forms of treatment, there are numerous pros and cons of telehealth services for addiction and mental health treatment. Someone who is considering shifting their treatment towards online counseling should consider the benefits and risks.

Additional Benefits of Telehealth

• Convenience. Therapy without the hassle of leaving the house is a major benefit of teletherapy. Teletherapy providers hope people will be more likely to attend treatment without barriers like transportation, childcare or anxiety when leaving home. 

• Cost. Since there is no need to commute to a physical appointment, teletherapy sessions can mean reduced or no transportation costs, childcare costs and less time away from the office. 

• Flexibility. Early mornings, late nights, weekends and other times when traditional therapy services are limited may be more widely available for telehealth. A professional working from a separate location may not be as restricted as an office with typical business hours.

• Availability. For people living in rural communities, treatment options could be limited or undesirable. With telehealth options, people who live far away from urban centers can have access to more providers in their state or even across the country. 

The benefits of Telehealth for substance abuse treatment for one person may not match the opinions of others. Each person must weigh their future treatment options carefully to decide if teletherapy is right for them.

At Cardinal Treatment Centers, we’ve created a telehealth treatment program to help more people receive treatment. We are so glad that we can reach more people from wherever they are located. To get started today, give us a call at 740-351-9298