Is Telehealth Effective for Substance Use Disorders?

Pros and Cons of Online Rehab

Like any other form of communication, online rehab has its pros and cons—it’s certainly not appropriate for everyone. However, the very act of considering online therapy is an opportunity for you to evaluate your own priorities. By deciding whether online therapy is right for you, you’ll likely learn more about what you need out of any treatment program.

Advantages of Remote Therapy Sessions

Accessibility

Online therapy is one of the most accessible forms of healthcare. All you need is an internet connection and a computer, tablet, or even a phone. You’ll be able to contact your medical team from home, from the office, or from the other side of the world. You won’t have to cancel appointments if you’re sick, or if the weather is bad. It also allows for more flexible scheduling, because it completely eliminates travel time.

Accountability

Some clients, especially those who are new to recovery, may struggle to make and keep their appointments. This can be especially true if in outpatient treatment. If your appointments happen virtually, you’ll have fewer excuses to cancel. If you forget an appointment, some therapists will call or text you a reminder. Then, instead of having to reschedule or pay for unused time, you’ll be able to hop on the call within just a few minutes.

Group Dynamics

Online mental health treatment makes it possible for clients to engage in group therapy with people who are physically distant. Clinical Director Brenna Gonzalez explains how The Hope House Scottsdale uses technological tools for long-distance family therapy:

“The theatre room is equipped with telehealth equipment, so we can include family members in a client’s treatment program. Returning home to family support is really important, so it’s key to ensure family members understand what’s going on with their loved ones during treatment.”

Continuity of Care

Virtual therapy appointments often allow you to stay in contact with the same treatment team even when you move from one location to another. This is especially important for clients who travel to residential rehab in another state or country, and want to proceed to an aftercare program at the same rehab center when they return home.

At some rehabs, online treatment is a routine component of aftercare. Ryan Soave, the Director of Program Development at All Points North Lodge, describes the role telehealth plays in their continuing care:

“In our full continuum of care, people come out of detox into our residential facility, then they step down to the partial hospitalization program, all the way through into intensive outpatient and the telehealth program.”

Not every rehab facility offers this. Some programs may suggest you engage in online aftercare with the same facility, but a different medical team. If you live in the U.S. and travel to another state for rehab this can get especially complicated, as the U.S. has strict laws governing therapy for out-of-state clients.⁵ Make sure to learn what your options are before you begin inpatient therapy, so you’ll know what to expect going forward.

Potential Drawbacks of Attending Addiction and Mental Treatment Virtually

Limited Physical Care

Virtual therapy can address many serious issues, and may be appropriate for some physical exams. However, it has noteworthy limitations when it comes to physical care, especially in the treatment of substance use disorders. For example, it’s not an effective way to perform medical detox. That process should be closely supervised by an in-person team of doctors and nurses.

Even clients who have already completed detox may still benefit from in-person care. One major drawback of online treatment is that online appointments don’t allow doctors to monitor your vital signs or perform daily drug testing.⁶ This aspect of accountability can be very important for people who are new to treatment, and losing access to it can severely impact the recovery process.

Confidentiality

Although providers are ethically obligated to protect their clients’ data, breaches can and do occur. In telehealth appointments, you may be responsible for some aspects of online security.⁷ Your device or your home network may not be entirely secure, even if your therapist’s data is.

Lack of Experiential Therapy

Online therapy is an effective way to talk to a therapist or other provider. However, there are many powerful and effective types of therapy that can only happen in person. During on-site or inpatient treatment, you may have access to art therapy, group activities, and even massage or acupuncture. Experiential therapy can greatly benefit your physical and mental health. These opportunities invite clients to learn about healthy social dynamics while creating happy memories. And it’s just not possible to go whitewater rafting via video chat!

Online Rehab Programs Can Be a Great Fit for Some Circumstances

Because of its physical limitations, some clients may benefit from telemedicine as part of a combination approach to recovery. You may choose to see some providers online and others in person. You may plan to maintain long-distance therapeutic relationships after complete inpatient treatment. If you’re interested in online therapy, be sure to talk to your medical team and ask whether they think it might be right for you.

Before you begin this type of online treatment, take some time to understand your own interest in it. Recovery is a time to reconnect with yourself and to start building healthy relationships. For some people, virtual treatment programs are appealing mostly because it allows you to stay in isolation. If that’s true for you, it might not be the best fit.

If you have other concerns—such as physical health issues, scheduling, or various forms of accessibility—don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. For many people, online appointments are the only way to access high-quality care. If in-person treatment just isn’t an option for you, telehealth may make it possible for you to begin recovery.

View and connect with rehabs that offer online services to find out if this format is a good fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Addiction Treatment