Throughout the development of the pandemic, and especially as a result of forced isolation, telehealth has become more prevalent than ever. Telehealth, sometimes referred to as telemedicine, is a treatment resource that allows patients to receive care electronically. This resource is provided through stable internet access on a patient’s smartphone or computer.
There are many benefits of telehealth. For example, it may be a more affordable treatment option than normal in-patient visits. Additionally, telehealth services could be a more convenient treatment option for those with busy schedules or those who are not physically well enough to receive in-person care.
Unfortunately, and inevitably, telehealth has some disadvantages. For those who are actively struggling with mental health disorders or substance use disorder (SUD) specifically, it is vital to weigh out the pros and cons of telehealth before deciding what treatment option will be most effective.
Addressing the Main Concern of Telehealth
Whether this is an individual’s first time in treatment or their dozenth, there are some concerns to address with telehealth. The main concern of telehealth is that it does not contribute to effective and long-lasting social support. This is especially evident when telehealth is compared to in-person group therapy. Although telehealth is known to reduce perceived feelings of isolation and loneliness, it may not be a great option for those actively struggling with SUD or other mental health conditions.
One of the most important components of treatment and recovery from mental health and substance use is social support. Social support means having physical and emotional comfort available via the presence of others. Examples of social support systems include family, friends, peers and healthcare professionals.
The path of struggle can be a lonely one, but unfortunately, the same is true of the journey to recovery. Friend groups recovering individuals associated with prior to treatment may have perpetuated your substance use. In recovery, they will need to build new social support systems that do not put their sobriety at risk.
To put it succinctly, social support plays a key role in facilitating effective treatment and lasting recovery. Unlike in-person services, telehealth may not be able to provide the level of social support necessary for individuals to reach or maintain their recovery independently. This is especially true for those experiencing active withdrawal symptoms or increased environmental triggers.
Let’s take a look at some additional concerns and disadvantages of telehealth services for treatment and recovery:
Telehealth is not available for all treatment services.
One of the most notable disadvantages of telehealth services is that it is not possible to offer all the treatment services necessary for establishing sobriety online. For example, detoxification is one of the first treatment services that many patients engage in before beginning a treatment program. Detoxification is a medically supervised treatment that requires patients to stay at a facility to safely withdraw from substances. Since detox requires around-the-clock care and because medications are often prescribed to help ease withdrawal symptoms, detox is not available as an online service.
Similarly, the most effective way to treat addiction and mental health is by using an individualized treatment approach. Substance use and mental health disorders look different for everyone. Some individuals may need routine daily treatment services, while others may need more intensive psychiatric services. Online treatment services are not as effective in providing the level of individualized care needed for individuals to solidify their sobriety.
Telehealth may limit patient privacy and make counseling less effective.
Another concern with telehealth services is that they limit patient privacy. In addition to potential internet hackers, telehealth limits patient privacy as many patients may find themselves distracted during online sessions. For example, parents utilizing telehealth may find themselves needing to care for their child during counseling sessions.
Similarly, siblings and young adults may worry that their family members are eavesdropping. They may also feel uncomfortable sharing the full extent of their symptoms verbally while others are nearby. In turn, the lack of patient privacy may interfere with the effectiveness of telehealth visits.
Comparing Telehealth to In-Person Outpatient Treatment for Addiction or Mental Health Disorders
To ensure effective treatment for overcoming mental health and SUD, in-person treatment may be the best option. If an individual feels overwhelmed at the thought of attending in-person treatment, they can feel secure in the knowledge that there is a wide range of outpatient treatment options available. Not all treatment programs require patients to live at the treatment facility. Further, outpatient treatment provides flexible treatment options for those who have other personal responsibilities, such as work or school.
Before making a decision, individuals can consider consulting a staff member at their local treatment center. They will be able to evaluate each patient’s unique needs and treatment goals. In turn, they can recommend treatment program options that will best fit the individual’s recovery needs.
Associated Behavioral Health Care (ABHC) is a comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment facility that offers telehealth as a part of our treatment programs. We honor that not everyone can fit in-person visits into their responsibilities. Still, we know that some cases of mental health conditions and substance use require more intensive treatment than what telehealth services can offer. To learn more about your in-person and telehealth options, call ABHC today at (844) 335-7384.