Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth programs have become more and more popular among people for a number of reasons in a number of healthcare situations. Searching for an addiction therapy program within your area and schedule can be difficult and discouraging. Luckily, at Zelus Recovery, we offer a variety of virtual addiction treatment programs for you and your loved ones.
Our telehealth services give you access to the treatment that you need within a schedule that works for you. To set up a telehealth appointment or discuss our treatment options, reach out to Zelus Recovery today via 208.518.0797.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth generally refers to both clinical and non-clinical applications of technology. This could mean attending appointments over the phone or a video call, but it can also mean scheduling appointments online. Telehealth and telemedicine are not the same, though they sound like they are. Telemedicine refers specifically to clinical uses of “long-distance” technology. For example, diagnosing patients over the phone is telemedicine, not telehealth.
Behavioral Telehealth
Mental health services can be extremely successful when offered through telehealth. The option of telehealth addiction treatment allows counselors to hold sessions in a virtual setting rather than in person. Many patients find in-person treatment programs inaccessible due to disabilities, limited scheduling, childcare issues, and limited travel ability. Telehealth combined with addiction treatment gives these patients the ability to seek virtual addiction treatment without leaving their homes.
Behavioral telehealth offers services such as text message reminders, which have been known to reduce dropout rates of addiction treatment programs. Features such as text message reminders can be used to send out appointment reminders and allow communication between patients and their clinicians. By reaching out and supporting patients during their recovery, clinicians can help keep patients accountable and on the right track. Telehealth addiction programs have been known to be more likely to keep patients from the dangers of relapsing.
Telehealth Addiction Treatment
Online addiction treatment can most commonly look like:
- Text message alerts and reminders
- Computer screenings
These methods are notably less intimate than video conferencing. However, implementing this type of communication inevitably leads to more face-to-face contact between a patient and their provider. Rather than simply avoiding or missing appointments, patients feel motivated to attend their scheduled sessions due to text and email updates.
Computer screenings are incredibly successful in diminishing the amount of time spent either in the office or filling out necessary medical forms during your session. Rather than having counselors spend their time collecting demographic data and similar information, patients are encouraged to fill out screening applications beforehand.
Telehealth in the Age of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult for society as a whole. Therefore, the need for virtual addiction therapy is at an all-time high. Due to isolation, loneliness, and lack of connection and accountability throughout the pandemic, many individuals have attempted to cope with substances that lead to addictions—being in isolation while on your journey to recovery can interrupt any plans you may have made. While in-person addiction treatment can be beneficial and sometimes necessary, Zelus Recovery offers telehealth addiction treatment programs for those who prefer their experience to be online.
Downsides to Telehealth Addiction Treatment
Telehealth is incredibly beneficial to many people. However, it is not meant for everybody. Some technologies require specific software that ensures patient confidentiality. Many facilities find it difficult to acquire this software; however, it is necessary for patient confidentiality.
Many people also do not have reliable access to the internet or a phone, especially those struggling with severe addictions. Making sure that both the patient and the counselor have access to the internet is extremely important.
Find Effective Telehealth Addiction Treatment at Zelus Recovery
Telehealth can be a great option for those struggling with addiction who need to be held accountable while living comfortably at home. If you are interested in discussing Zelus Recovery’s telehealth options, reach out to us today via 208.518.0797.
