Help for drug addiction may come in many forms. Traditionally, individuals battling substance abuse have been required to show up at an addiction treatment center in person for help. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and other barriers, it may not be possible for people with substance abuse problem to get the help they need. As a result, telemedicine, also known as telehealth provides an alternative for those seeking substance abuse treatment.
Using Telemedicine in Addiction Treatment
Telemedicine involves the use of technologies such as video conferencing, telephone-based services, smartphone applications, texting, and web-based tools to provide much-needed care over a distance. With telemedicine, patients don’t have to travel to addiction treatment facilities to get assistance. Patients can communicate with healthcare providers and members of their support groups right from their smartphones and laptops.
Reasons to Consider Telemedicine in Addiction Treatment
There are a host of reasons why a patient would consider choosing addiction treatment through telemedicine. Most of these reasons revolve around overcoming barriers such as stigma associated with seeking addiction treatment, inability to take time away from a job, and lack of access to healthcare providers.
Overcoming Stigma Associated Seeking Addiction Treatment
People with an addiction problem are often stigmatized. Therefore, many of them are reluctant even to try visiting an addiction treatment facility. Telemedicine provides an excellent opportunity for these people to receive addiction treatment away from the treatment centers. Telemedicine can be of great help, especially to people with mild to moderate addiction problems.
Demanding Jobs
With the unpredictable economic times, many people are afraid of losing their jobs if the employer gets to know about their addiction problem. Others find it challenging to juggle between work, childcare, and self-care. Therefore, they opt to discontinue the rehabilitation program to save their jobs. The good thing about telemedicine is that you don’t have to fear for the security of your job because you can complete the entire program at home.
Lack of access to Healthcare Providers
Some patients may be forced to travel over long distances to receive treatment at rehabilitation centers. The hassle of going back and forth can be costly and tiring. Therefore, choosing to receive addiction treatment through telemedicine will save both their time and money. Also, some states are currently under lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and therefore it may not be possible to access substance abuse treatment centers. If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown you don’t need to worry because telemedicine gives you an opportunity to continue your rehabilitation program at home.
It is vital to understand that the standard method of treating substance abuse disorders is through face-to-face therapy sessions, which may be provided in combination with pharmacotherapies. Therefore, telemedicine is a tool that makes it easier to access addiction treatment and not an entirely new way of practicing medicine.
Telemedicine helps you to maintain the relationship that you have already established with your physicians and members of your support group. Telemedicine is essential, especially for progress updates and interventional communications through mobile devices.
Would you like to kickstart your addiction treatment journey? Call us today to find more about our programs at 833-846-5669