Telehealth Services for Addiction
Our addiction treatment specialists at Banyan Delaware realized the impact the pandemic had on our patients’ recovery from addiction. Although the pandemic has since ended, our Delaware rehab center paid particular attention to the effects of COVID-19 on our patients’ motivation and ability to continue treatment. With all of the social distancing and quarantining guidelines set in place, drug treatment was limited for many. However, we still sought to help our patients continue their treatment without putting anyone at risk. Banyan Treatment Centers Delaware telehealth services for addiction allow patients to continue receiving treatment and therapy without having to commute or attend in-person sessions.
What Is a Telehealth Program for Substance Abuse?
Telehealth is an umbrella term that refers to the use of technology, such as smartphones or computers, to provide healthcare online. Telemedicine is a great way for people who are unable to commute or have other obligations to still receive the care they need remotely. Banyan Treatment Centers is one of the drug rehabilitation centers that has implemented virtual addiction treatment services to help our patients to stay on track and prevent relapse. By offering telemedicine treatment for substance abuse, we’re staying connected to patients who may otherwise fall out of their treatment and reaching more people than ever before.
Is Telehealth Effective in Treating Addictions?
Yes, studies have found that utilizing telehealth for addiction recovery is a useful option in certain cases. According to one article, eight trials compared in-person treatment for addiction to telemedicine treatment, and telehealth treatment was shown to be as beneficial in terms of retention, therapeutic alliance, and substance use in seven of the investigations.1 According to a Canadian study, telemedicine enhanced retention and made it easier to prescribe methadone. Additionally, a survey of California addiction treatment centers found that more than 50% of their patients received intensive outpatient care, individual therapy, group counseling, and intake assessments via telehealth.1 The providers were certain that individual therapy delivered through telehealth was just as beneficial as counseling delivered face-to-face, but they were less certain about the efficacy of medication management, group counseling, and intake evaluations.
Another study found that the use of telemedicine effectively reduced the rates of alcohol abuse, depression, and the cost of treatment. Additionally, it saw an increase in the quality of life, accessibility, and instances of patient satisfaction.2 These all serve to highlight the fact that, although our Delaware telehealth addiction treatment programs should not completely replace the regular forms of care, it is a fantastic alternative for those who need this option for care.
Pros of Telehealth Services for Addiction
There are many great things about utilizing telehealth for substance abuse. For one, offering telemedicine accessibility for people receiving drug treatment removes the need for in-person sessions. This program is a great way to keep recovering addicts on track while reducing the risk of meeting in person. Additionally, telehealth offers more privacy for patients. With this program, patients can hop on their Zoom calls with therapists in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Considering the stigmas surrounding addiction, some patients feel more comfortable keeping their treatment as private as possible.
Also, patients who receive our substance abuse telehealth services have instant access to their treatment specialists. Although patients who attend our inpatient rehab in Delaware in person are able to contact us whenever they need to, telehealth comes with its perks. For instance, text communication and online chatting are often utilized in telehealth, allowing clients to communicate with their therapists whenever necessary. Outpatient telemedicine also eliminates the delay between seeking help and making an appointment. Oftentimes, the build-up and stress associated with setting up appointments can deter patients from their goals, which we want to avoid as much as possible.
Speaking of quick and immediate access, telehealth rehabilitation is also beneficial to individuals who are unable to commute or live far away. Having to commute far distances can discourage a patient from continuing their treatment or may lead them to find a treatment center that may be closer but is less suitable to their needs. By offering online addiction treatment, we’re giving these patients an opportunity to continue their drug treatment programs without compromising their comfort or peace of mind.
Our Telehealth Program for Substance Abuse
Keep in mind that telehealth may not be suitable for all patients or applicable to all forms of treatment. For instance, medical detox in Delaware must be conducted at our facility for the sake of ensuring the patient’s health and safety during withdrawal. Additionally, patients who may require a more in-depth form of treatment, such as inpatient rehab, may also have to stay at our facility for the duration of the program until we believe they’re healthy and stable enough to go back home and continue their treatment virtually or partially at our facility.
For patients who are in our telehealth program, our virtual treatment is a great way to reduce the impact of daily temptations and triggers that may be present in their home environments. This is a form of personalized care that involves our licensed and trained therapists and treatment specialists. Our telehealth services for addiction include three hours of intensive treatment per day for three days a week. Patients will also meet online with their therapists once a week for about an hour to discuss their progress, struggles, and any areas where they need improvement.
Patients interested in our telehealth treatment require access to the internet and a device like a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer where they can video chat with their therapists. Our therapists use a free application called Zoom that allows users to video chat with others. Patients’ devices must have a camera and audio access to conduct sessions. Also, patients are asked to take these sessions alone and in a quiet setting. No one else should be able to listen to, see, or participate in meetings between clients and therapists.
Virtual Faith-Based Recovery Programs
Our facility also understands the importance of spiritual health for recovery. Addiction is as much a spiritual battle as it is a physical one, which is why we also cater to this in our telehealth program. Our telehealth services for substance abuse include faith-based therapy sessions in which patients can learn more about themselves and experience spiritual growth. During Faith in Recovery (FIR) group sessions, clients will learn realistic relapse prevention strategies and gain a faith-based perspective on recovery that they can apply to their recovery for the rest of their lives. Patients will also gain a better understanding of faith-based principles and how they can apply them to their sobriety.
Through our FIR resources, we hope our patients will develop or restore their relationships with God and learn His purpose for their lives. During group sessions, our Chaplain will also go over areas including forgiveness, relapse prevention, gratitude, patience, guilt, shame, self-control, and any other challenges that patients may be facing. And while our FIR groups are Christian-based, individuals of all faith backgrounds are welcome to join us.
If you’re interested in learning more about our telehealth services or any of our other levels of addiction care, contact our Delaware drug rehab today.
Sources
- Psychiatry Online - Addiction Treatment and Telehealth: Review of Efficacy and Provider Insights During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- NIH - Measures of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Quality of Telemedicine in the Management of Alcohol Abuse, Addiction, and Rehabilitation: Systematic Review
Related Reading
