Do you need support with addiction treatment? Perhaps a loved one needs drug rehab to beat an addiction for years? If so, then it’s important to choose the right solution. There are a variety of different methods which can be used to help an individual get past an addiction that has impacted their life.
This could include a stay at an addiction treatment center. Or, it may take the form of an outpatient program. Here, individuals still gain the support they need without it disrupting their personal and professional life.
Another option for treating addiction is teletherapy. In this guide, we’ll explore what teletherapy is, how it can be beneficial when treating addiction, and the role it may play on the road to recovery.
What Is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy is a combination of using technology with therapy to provide the treatment and support that patients may require through a drug rehab or alcohol rehab plan.
Teletherapy can include the use of a wide range of technology such as video conferencing and other web-based tools. It depends on the technology available and the methods that are recommended by the treatment center.
Common examples of teletherapy include:
- Completing sessions over the phone
- Engaging in a group chat for group therapy sessions
- Using video conferencing
- Using apps to connect and communicate with clients
Teletherapy programs and be personalized to ensure that they match the specific requirements of an individual.
What Are The Benefits Of Teletherapy For Addiction?
Using teletherapy as part of an addiction treatment plan can provide numerous benefits.
First, the solution is confidential and secure. Any data used and shared during teletherapy can remain encrypted. Furthermore, no information transferred is stored and video sessions are not recorded. As such, patients can take comfort in knowing that anything discussed will remain confidential and private.
A solution like this will also private patients with access to support from professionals who are fully licensed to treat issues with substance abuse and help with mental health conditions that can develop during an addiction. A versatile solution, it allows patients to get the support they need from anywhere without needing to travel to an addiction treatment center which may not be in a convenient setting.
This solution is also incredibly flexible. When accessing drug rehab or alcohol rehab plans, many individuals want to carry on with their typical routine. This could include work or personal responsibilities.
As such, it’s important to ensure that a treatment plan does not disrupt a treatment plan. With teletherapy for drug treatment, this is easy to ensure. The scheduling for teletherapy sessions can be completely flexible and adaptable to meet the clients’ needs. This means that patients never need to worry about squeezing sessions around business and personal commitments.
There is also a wide range of treatment options that can be completed through teletherapy sessions. As mentioned, patients can gain support in either an individual or a group session. Both one-on-one and group sessions can be effective tools when dealing with addiction and helping ensure that a patient does not relapse.
This is also a mobile solution which makes it more convenient for patients who need additional support. Through teletherapy sessions, patients can always gain access to support from a professional regardless of the time or place.
This means, if they are confronted with triggers or stressful situations, they will never be alone. All they need to access support is a mobile device or laptop. They can access sessions during breaks at work, in the comfort of their home, or while they are away.
As with other treatment options offered including outpatient, intensive outpatient programs, the teletherapy services we provide for drug rehab and alcohol rehab are evidence-based. This ensures that we are always focused on providing the care and support that will deliver the best results for every patient.
As such, you can access the same high standard of support that you would in a treatment facility from the comfort of your home.
Why Do Patients Prefer Teletherapy?
There are numerous reasons why patients tend to choose a teletherapy program when exploring alcohol treatment or drug treatment. Part of the reason for this is that it offers a greater level of access to care and different types of treatment. This is useful for individuals who have physical disabilities, mobility issues, or other barriers that will prevent them from gaining support in person.
Generally speaking, patients who use teletherapy programs also report higher levels of satisfaction with the treatment they receive. This could be because this type of treatment feels less intrusive and is not as disruptive to their personal life. Ultimately, they can gain the care and support they need while still continuing with their life plans.
Since teletherapy programs can be completed from the comfort of their home, patients can also continue to access support from friends and family members as they continue their treatment plan. Many patients find this key to ensuring that they do not relapse and enjoy being able to gain professional support in settings that they are familiar with.
Why Do Therapists Favor Teletherapy?
Teletherapy solutions for drug rehab and alcohol rehab became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the wake of this health threat, the solution is still consistently favored by therapists and medical professionals.
One of the reasons for this is that teletherapy allows medical professionals to reach a wider group of clients. It ensures that barriers preventing people who need therapy from the right level of access are broken down. As such, through teletherapy solutions and programs, therapists can help far more people overall.
Teletherapy solutions for addiction can also be cost-effective. This helps remove the financial barrier that stops some patients from getting the care and support they need with an addiction. It guarantees that they can access help from a professional, regardless of budget limitations.
Typical drug rehab and alcohol rehab treatment plans can feel intense for patients. This can stop them from committing to the plan and it may lead them back to relying on their addiction to cope.
Teletherapy is always going to feel far less intense and can be a more relaxed solution that is shaped around the specific needs of the patient. As such, they are less likely to resist getting the support they need.
How Is Teletherapy Used As Part Of A Wider Addiction Treatment Plan?
As well as being used as an independent treatment option for addiction, teletherapy can be used as part of a wider treatment plan. For instance, it can be used as part of an outpatient treatment program.
Outpatient programs are suitable for those who are less likely to relapse or are dealing with a mild addiction. They can still get the support they need to stay on the right path with a part-time approach to therapy and treatment.
Overall, patients may only require a couple of hours of treatment each week. With teletherapy, this can be completed from the comfort of their home and still deliver the same benefits.
Teletherapy may also be used to support an intensive outpatient program. Intensive outpatient services are used for individuals who are more likely to struggle with their recovery and who will require additional support.
Despite this, these patients do not want to completely abandon their life, even for a short period, so inpatient support is not the right choice. Despite this, intensive outpatient services require more time and effort.
As such teletherapy programs can be used to limit the strain and ensure that patients can still gain the additional support they need without traveling to a facility or attending hours of appointments away from home.
Finally, teletherapy may be used as a multiple pathways treatment plan. Patients who require drug rehab or alcohol rehab may start with either an inpatient treatment program or an outpatient service.
This will often be used to ensure that they can complete a full detoxification process. Once this stage is complete attention tends to shift to psychotherapeutic symptoms which help patients understand and cope with the triggers that could cause them to relapse.
This is where teletherapy can be effective. Through teletherapy, it is possible to ensure that patients always gain the support they need to deal with addiction triggers the right way, after they leave an addiction treatment center.
Multiple pathway treatment plans can utilize both traditional and evidence-based programming. Teletherapy can be used in both parts of a combined program like this.
It’s clear then that teletherapy can be an effective tool when used for addiction treatment. It removes some of the most significant barriers which stop patients from getting the support that they need.
It is also versatile enough to be used to meet the needs of a wide group of patients. Upon admission to a treatment center, a professional will determine whether teletherapy could be the right option for you.