Recovering from substance use disorder requires specialized care. Accessing the customized care you need for addiction can be difficult if you don’t have reliable transportation or you live in a rural area. Fortunately, new technology has made it possible for people to receive telehealth care for addiction from anywhere they live or work. All you need is an internet connection and a laptop or mobile device. But, what is the effectiveness of telehealth treatment? Can a Tacoma, Washington, telehealth intensive outpatient program help you recover from addiction as effectively as in-person treatment?
At Bayview Recovery, we provide top-quality in-person and telehealth care for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Reach out to us today at 855.478.3650 if you have questions about telehealth treatment effectiveness and if it may be the right option for you.
The Effectiveness of Telehealth Treatment
The appeal of receiving addiction treatment from home may be strong, However, you may wonder if virtual treatment is as effective as an in-person program. After all, you would not want to sacrifice your treatment outcome just for the sake of convenience. Rest assured that telehealth care has been proven to be an effective treatment option for many people. This is because:
- Telehealth care is more convenient. You can access telehealth treatment from anywhere, which removes some of the primary reasons for delaying addiction treatment.
- Telehealth treatment is more cost-effective. Since you won’t be attending treatment sessions in the facility, these programs typically cost less. This may also make it easier to obtain coverage from your health insurance. Additionally, since you don’t need to drive to the facility, you will save money on gas or other transportation costs.
- Virtual addiction treatment saves time. Since you don’t need to commute to the treatment center, you will save time and can more easily fit treatment into your schedule.
By making addiction treatment convenient, affordable, and efficient, the effectiveness of telehealth treatment can rival that of an in-person treatment program. For some people, telehealth care may even be more effective because it’s more easily accessible. People who enroll in virtual addiction treatment may be more likely to stick to their program because there are fewer roadblocks to treatment.
Maximizing Telehealth Treatment Effectiveness
You only get out of addiction treatment what you put into it. If you skip treatment sessions and don’t follow through on your provider’s orders for your prescriptions, you probably won’t experience recovery success. To ensure that telehealth treatment is as effective as possible, you should:
- Make all efforts to attend each treatment session. If you must miss a session, see if the facility offers additional sessions that you can attend to make up for it.
- Try to stay engaged during group therapy sessions. Your group therapy sessions will take place through video chat or over the phone. As a result, it may be more difficult to stay focused due to distractions at home. Therefore, try to find a quiet space where you will be uninterrupted during these sessions. You can help keep yourself more focused by taking notes, chiming in on discussions, and asking questions.
- Let your treatment team know about any side effects you are having from prescribed medications. They can modify your medications and dosages to help minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings, so you have a better chance of staying on track for recovery.
In addition to the above, you can also improve your chances of abstaining from drugs or alcohol if you enroll in online recovery support groups. Enlist support from your loved ones as well to ensure you are surrounded by others who will help keep you motivated when times get tough.
Bayview Recovery: Convenient Telehealth Intensive Outpatient Programs
At Bayview Recovery, we understand that in-person addiction treatment isn’t possible for everyone. We want to ensure that you get the help you need, no matter your limitations. Reach out to us today at 855.478.3650 to discuss whether our telehealth intensive outpatient programs may be right for your recovery.