Telehealth for Addiction: Online Rehab and Telehealth Addiction Treatment
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth, sometimes referred to as telemedicine, makes use of digital communications and various technologies such as smartphone applications, web-based software such as videoconferencing, telephone-based services, and texting to connect you to medical and mental healthcare professionals remotely instead of in person.
It’s meant to make healthcare more accessible for individuals who don’t live close to care, to keep you and others safe from the spread of infectious diseases, to allow you to connect to medical specialists easily, to improve the communication and coordination of care among the healthcare professionals you see, and to offer you advice regarding the self-management of your health care.
Virtual healthcare works well to monitor and improve ongoing health issues. For instance, telehealth may be utilized for the treatment of some mental health conditions. Virtual services may include:
- Online therapy.
- Counseling.
- Medication management.
Data shows that 68.4% of the individuals in the United States, who sought telehealth services in April 2023, did so for mental health conditions.1
Telehealth Outpatient Services
AAC’s Telehealth Services are offered through a confidential, online, HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing service. Patients receive a personalized access code that they can use throughout the course of treatment.
Most individuals, who participate in medical detox and residential treatment, transition to outpatient services.
Outpatient Care Topics
Some of the topics covered in outpatient care range from relapse prevention and managing cravings, to anger management and the role of family in the addiction treatment process.
What Can Be Treated Via Online Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
Many outpatient services can be addressed via online drug and alcohol rehab. Individuals with mild to moderate substance use disorders—who have been properly assessed and diagnosed by a healthcare professional—may be able to access a variety of services virtually, including:3
- One-on-one therapy.
- Group therapy.
- Addiction counseling.
- Medication for addiction treatment.
The effectiveness of telehealth varies based on a number of individual factors, including (but not limited to) the severity of the addiction, a person’s living environment, support system, comfort level with technology, and where they are in their recovery.4 Telehealth may not be appropriate for everyone. You should discuss your options—based on your needs—with a healthcare professional.
How Does Online Addiction Treatment Work?
Facilities offer different telehealth options using live discussions to treat individuals with substance use disorders. Common ways telehealth for the treatment of addiction is offered include:5
- Telephone-based therapy.
- Video-based therapy.
- Web-based assessments. This allows individuals to access assessments at critical times during their recovery. Some examples may include the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, motivational therapy sessions, and psychoeducation.
- Telephone-based recovery support.
Additionally, mobile applications and text support, which are not traditionally categorized under telehealth services, may help individuals track progress and maintain sobriety during treatment and after as well.
Is Telehealth Rehab Covered by Insurance?
In many cases, yes. See if your plan is in-network with AAC here. Or fill in our online form below.
The Pros and Cons of Online Rehab Programs
Research indicates that, for some, telehealth services provided for the treatment of substance use disorder, may be as effective as in-person therapy.4
A recent study compared in-person treatment to telehealth services and found no difference in patient satisfaction with treatment, levels of substance use, retention rates, or collaboration and partnership between therapists and patients.4
Telehealth may be beneficial for individuals with milder substance use disorders, who require the flexibility of online treatment to continue to travel for work or care for children and those living in remote areas.
For others, telehealth may not be the best option. For one: It doesn’t necessarily allow you to receive services from any facility you choose. To be eligible for some telehealth services, you need to be a resident of the state where the treatment facility is located. Additionally, since utilizing telehealth services is completely dependent on an individual’s connectivity, it’s likely not an option for individuals without stable housing or those who lack the required technology.
Patient Support Comes First
Is Telehealth or Online Rehab For Me?
The ease of getting addiction treatment through telehealth via a phone or computer is one of the biggest reasons people look for online rehab programs. It affords people the flexibility to get help from the comfort of their home, though telehealth or online rehab might not be the best option for all cases. Telehealth may not be appropriate for more serious cases of addiction or withdrawal, where medical oversight may be necessary.
With inpatient (live-in) rehab, patients can get the care they need, while being supervised by medical professionals. This gives patients the ability to be surrounded by the appropriate support system while seeking treatment and will also help patients hold themselves accountable by following through with the completion of treatment. Find out what the best course of treatment is for your case by calling us at .
