In recent years, telehealth for addiction treatment has created opportunities for people to receive medical care, psychiatric care, and treatment from the comfort of their homes. At Buckhead Behavioral Health, we offer virtual IOP for substance abuse where you can attend treatment from the comfort of your own home. Call us today at (470) 460-6789 for more information.
What is Telehealth for Addiction Treatment?
Telehealth utilizes various technologies, such as video conferencing, text messaging, and phone calls to provide remote sessions and more. This type of care can also include using various web-based and smartphone apps. Instead of having to visit an actual healthcare facility, people can receive the care they need without leaving home. For some, the clinical term “telemedicine,” is used in more medical-based settings and the term “telehealth,” refers to a widespread approach. During these telehealth sessions, individuals partake in group therapy, individual therapy, and more.
How is Telehealth Used for Substance Abuse Treatment?
The use of telehealth addiction treatment services significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a relatively innovative and new treatment approach to helping people with alcohol and substance misuse disorders. Essentially, it is virtual outpatient rehab you receive from the comfort of your home.
You still work with an intake specialist to determine and create a personalized addiction treatment program. The only difference from an in-person program is that you virtually participate in your treatment. At Buckhead Behavioral Health, we offer telehealath treatment services in our partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program. This includes psychiatry, individual psychotherapy sessions, and group therapy sessions in a HIPPAA-compliant and confidential video conferencing platform.
Treatment Options Available via Telehealth
Since telehealth substance abuse treatment is still fairly new, treatment programs can vary from one facility to another. However, most treatment centers incorporate the following services into treatment plans:
- Individual Counseling – You meet virtually one-on-one for individual therapy sessions with your counselor. Sessions are confidential. just like they would be in-person.
- Group Counseling – Small group meetings are conducted using video conferencing technologies, such as Zoom. Everyone gets an opportunity to share if they so desire. The group leader facilitates discussions about coping skills, addiction, building solid strategies to maintain sobriety, and encouraging the development of virtual peer support and peer relationships.
- MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) – For certain addictions, MAT can still be used for telehealth addiction treatment since it is delivered to your home.
- Addiction Education – Participants enroll in and complete various online courses covering a wide range of addiction and recovery topics.
- Family Counseling – Family therapy is similar to in-person therapy, allowing your family to learn more about your addiction and what they can do to help support your recovery. Additionally, family therapy allows you to work on rebuilding trust and damaged relationships with family members.
In addition to these services, real-time support is available when needed using phone calls, text messaging, or video messaging.
Participants can also use other options, such as art therapy, nutritional and wellness counseling and education, and mediation therapy. These types of options can be conducted virtually through online apps, real-time video conferencing, and other technologies.
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Is Telehealth Effective?
A new study conducted by RTI International and the University of California on the effectiveness of telehealth for substance abuse found there was an increase in patient engagement and improved retention rates. In addition, due to the chronic nature of substance use disorder, telehealth can be extremely effective in connecting the patient to the provider for the long-term.As a result, people seeking help for their addictions using telehealth are more likely to begin and continue addiction treatment than in-person care.
What are the Benefits of Telehealth Addiction Treatment?
Telehealth substance abuse treatment offers benefits for those needing treatment. Access to a treatment facility is often a barrier for many people in need of recovery. Therefore, increased accessibility is among the main benefits of telehealth addiction treatment.
The following are four benefits of telehealth for substance abuse treatment:
#1. You can receive addiction treatment from anywhere with internet access.
Virtual addiction treatment has made it possible for people, regardless of where they live or the location of the nearest treatment facility, to receive addiction treatment from any treatment center that offers telehealth recovery programs.
#2. Access to addiction treatment is more convenient.
Virtual programs work with a variety of devices as long as you have an internet connection. So, you could use your desktop or laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone. You also have the flexibility to use text messaging and phone calls, so support is there whenever you need it, day or night.
#3. Virtual addiction treatment programs offer more flexibility.
One of the top benefits of virtual addiction treatment programs is their flexibility. People can continue to live at home, work, or attend school while receiving the same intensive outpatient treatment they would in person.
#4. Access to virtual aftercare programs reduces the risks of relapse.
After completing the initial treatment program, ongoing support is available through various virtual aftercare support options, such as weekly group meetings that continue to provide peer support and focus on relapse prevention.
However, it is worth acknowledging there are certain situations where in-person treatment may be more beneficial for some people. For example, an in-person program would be more suitable when someone has an unstable home environment where they would be easily tempted to relapse.
Is Telehealth Covered by Insurance?
In many cases, telehealth is covered by most private insurance policies. To find out if your insurance is covered, request an insurance verification now.
Find Telehealth Addiction Treatment at Buckhead Behavioral Health
Thanks to technological advances, you can help get for your substance misuse with telehealth addiction treatment in Atlanta from Buckhead Behavioral Health. You do not need to live in the Atlanta area or Georgia, for that matter. Our telehealth treatment programs are accessible to adolescents and adults no matter where they live.
We work with you virtually to create a custom treatment plan that best reflects your needs and objectives. When you are ready to take the first steps to recovery or to learn more about our telehealth addiction rehab programs, call us or visit our admissions page today.
