27 Aug Online Drug/Alcohol Therapy: What You Need to Know

With the global pandemic affecting millions of recovering individuals around the world, it’s important for us to reach out to you and let you know you’re not alone. Thanks to online technology, recovering patients can now have access to online help that’s professional, compassionate, and reliable. A growing number of people are opting for telehealth to meet their mental health care needs and for good reason. Online therapy allows an individual to connect with their therapist from anywhere in the world. In light of the current crisis, it’s important to look after not only your physical health but your mental health as well.

There are plenty of benefits to online therapy, especially in today’s world where maintaining social distance is strongly advised. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at online drug/alcohol therapy and how to know if this form of medical treatment is right for you.

Reasons to choose online therapy

Therapists who practice online offer their services via video sharing, chat, email, or even through phone calls. As technology evolves, so does telehealth. Therapists can help guide people through challenges using the most useful and current communication technologies. 

Mental health professionals offer telehealth as a primary means of communicating with people who wish to seek drug/alcohol therapy. Some individuals prefer online therapy because they can reap the benefits of conventional therapy right at the comfort of their homes. This can be particularly helpful for people who live in remote areas or with limited mobility due to disability or caregiving responsibilities.

Online therapy may be used as a standalone treatment or paired with conventional therapeutic treatment. For example, a therapist may offer treatment from their office and switch to telehealth when a person is unable to visit or cannot commute to the office.

Teletherapy is particularly useful in situations where patients have difficulty accessing mental health services. The great thing about this type of treatment is that it’s very flexible. Some patients may choose to receive online therapy via text while others prefer email or video sharing. People who are new to therapy may find it easy to participate in online therapy sessions. The fact that treatment takes place in the home may also reduce the stigma associated with receiving mental health services.

Who is online therapy for

Online therapy is a great option for those who want to undergo drug/alcohol therapy, but cannot do so due to unforeseen circumstances, with the global pandemic being one example. It can also prove appealing to those who aren’t as comfortable receiving therapy in an office as opposed to online. Like with many aspects of our life that are now available online, telehealth is therapy’s way of keeping up to date with the latest digital trends.

Many aspects of mental health can be addressed with online therapy, most of which include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Food and eating disorders
• Relationship issues
• Alcohol use disorder
• Drug use

Some studies even suggest that online therapy may be as effective as face-to-face therapy for some patients. Many popular approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), are well-suited to online therapy. However, visual feedback may not always be available, depending on the form of communication used.

There are instances where telehealth is not recommended. For example, people with severe psychological or emotional issues may not receive the treatment well. The same goes for people with severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or suicidal thoughts who may benefit more from traditional therapy. Individuals with these mental health conditions require intensive care and online therapy may not be able to cater to their needs.

Others who may not benefit from online therapy are those who are uncomfortable with technology. People with little privacy at home, those who wish not to share personal matters over the internet or phone, and individuals living in abusive situations may also prefer to see a mental health professional in person.