If you have been following the news, there is a reasonably good chance that you have heard of COVID-19, a new strain of the coronavirus. This virus, according to several publications, originated in China and then quickly made its way throughout South East Asia before spreading to other parts of the world. As of the writing of this article, there have been 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. Of those infected, nearly 600,000 have since recovered. Sadly, to date, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 128,000 people globally. Given these statistics, it is not too surprising to learn that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus, which was at one time only common among animals, a global pandemic. Fortunately, several countries are working collectively to develop a vaccine that can treat those who are infected and ultimately stop the spread of this life-threatening virus. Having said that, many people who are struggling with substance abuse and are ready to seek treatment are reluctant to do so, fearing that they might be exposed to COVID-19 as a result of being admitted to a rehab facility. If you share this concern, telemedicine might be worth considering.
What Is Telemedicine?
As the name might suggest, telemedicine, also known as telehealth, refers to using electronic communication and software as a means of providing clinical services to patients, which eliminates the need for an in-person visit to a licensed practitioner’s office. And as it pertains to addiction recovery services, it is an excellent option for those who are ready to break the cycle of addiction amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. In the past, telemedicine for addiction was greatly underutilized, but it is gaining a lot more attention as of late. And most would agree that this is a result of COVID-19, which is prompting more people to take steps toward lowering their chances of being exposed to the life-altering virus.
What You Should Know About Telemedicine for Addiction
Although it is not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of addiction recovery, telemedicine for addiction is slowly gaining more interest across the nation. According to Modern Healthcare, a weekly publication aimed at executives in the healthcare industry, more than 2,000 individuals sought addiction recovery services for opioid addiction in 2017. It is worth noting that these services can also benefit those with co-occurring or stand-alone mental health disorders. After all, mental health disorders accounted for about a third of all telemedicine visits in that same year, according to the study published by Modern Healthcare.
Is Telemedicine a Viable Treatment for Addiction?
While the success of any addiction recovery treatment is only as effective as an individual’s commitment and willingness to break the cycle of addiction, there is plenty of evidence that shows telemedicine works. Best of all, this approach to addiction recovery removes geographical barriers by enabling individuals to receive treatment from any of the thousands of rehab facilities across America as opposed to being limited to only the ones available in their hometowns. That said, telemedicine for addiction encompasses one or more of the following to help individuals overcome addiction:
- Telephone-based support
- Texting
- Web-based treatments
- Video conferencing
- Mobile apps
- Virtual reality
Bottom Line
In summary, while telemedicine for addiction might seem unconventional, it has been proven to help countless individuals move past addiction and better their lives. That being said, if you’re struggling with addiction amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and you’re ready to seek help, consider speaking with one of our friendly associates today. Call (440) 253-9915.
