Can telehealth be helpful in treating substance use disorder (SUD)? Telehealth services seem less formal, but they can provide the same level of support and guidance to you on your SUD recovery journey as in-person care. If you are one of the many people who struggle with SUD but don’t believe you can get into a treatment center for care, explore what telehealth can offer.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth is the use of technology to connect patients with providers. It includes the use of video calls, phone calls, and sometimes apps. The goal is to connect you with your mental health support team remotely, no matter if you are at home, work, or anywhere else.
Telehealth offers numerous benefits for those seeking SUD treatment, including:
- No need to worry about transportation to and from treatment. You do not have to make the drive at all.
- Access care from a distance where you may feel more comfortable. For some people, this means getting care in a less overwhelming setting.
- Avoid the time loss that often comes from driving to and from mental health appointments. For many, that means you can fit an appointment into your day when you could not do so otherwise.
- Increased privacy is another core factor. Some people worry about their privacy when visiting a treatment center in person.
- Continuity of care. With regular access and ease of use, many people can continue to receive care on an ongoing basis and are more likely to stick with it long term.
Telehealth care can offer a way for you to reach your mental health team remotely on a scheduled basis. That could mean better access to the care you need over time.
How Effective Is Telehealth Medicine for Addiction Treatment?
While it may not be the ideal solution for all people, telehealth addiction treatment can be effective for those who invest in the process. Consistency is important, as it is with all types of SUD treatment.
However, studies show that telehealth can be very effective, especially for those who struggle to continue in-person care. What’s more, those studies indicate that people want this type of treatment on an ongoing basis.
When Can Telehealth Treatment Be Helpful?
Telehealth treatment works for some types and levels of addiction care, but not all. After meeting with your therapist, you’ll learn a great deal about when this type of care can be helpful and how it may work to fill your specific treatment goals.
Some of the most effective times when telehealth can help with addiction treatment include:
- Screening and initial diagnosis. This is one of the most effective ways to learn more about the value addiction treatment can offer to you. If you are not sure if you have an addiction, schedule a screening to learn more.
- Online counseling. Telemedicine works well to create one-on-one opportunities to meet with your counselor and work through your treatment needs. It can also be effective for group therapy sessions, as video calls with multiple parties can create the same dynamic as that of in-person experiences.
- Consultations for medication. If you are concerned about the medication you are taking or need to make changes to dosing, such as for treatment of opioids or mental health disorders, these types of appointments can be very effective through telemedicine.
There are some situations where telehealth medicine may not be helpful or ideal. That includes:
- Detox support. This is often beneficial in a medically monitored environment where professionals are available to help you with withdrawal and medical emergencies. Detox treatment can be life-saving.
- Serious substance use disorder. Those with significant and long-term addiction benefit from residential treatment programs. This creates a safe environment for you to work through past trauma, mental health disorders, and other complications.
- Relapse. Those who are at risk or have relapsed benefit from inpatient treatment. Telehealth medicine may not provide enough protection in these situations.
If you’re wondering how addiction treatment through telehealth medicine may help you, reach out to The Ranch at Dove Tree now. Let our team discuss opportunities for you. We’ll go over what you can expect, what your opportunities are, and when you may be the ideal candidate.
Contact Our Admissions Counselor Now for Immediate Help
The Ranch at Dove Tree works with a wide range of individuals facing the need for addiction treatment. Many times, our inpatient services are the ideal path for care to start, but that’s not always the case.
We encourage you to reach out to our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center in Lubbock, Texas, now to find out how care can change your future. Our admissions team is always available to you.
