Online Addiction Treatment

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Online Addiction Treatment Makes it Easier to Receive Effective Care

There is an urgent need for addiction treatment in communities all across the U.S. Online addiction treatment helps bridge the gap with those who cannot physically attend treatment.

Some people with substance problems find the help they need in their local area.

Many people cannot find the right help they need in their area.

Today, you have a new option that can make it easier to receive effective care: online addiction treatment.

With internet access, computer and smartphone resources, you can seek help no matter where you live.

You can also seek help regardless of your personal situation.

However, to get positive results, you must use reliable online options that follow basic guidelines for addiction treatment.

Basics of Online Addiction Treatment

Traditionally, care for substance abuse and addiction is given at a physical treatment center.

Depending on your situation, you may receive help from a variety of programs.

Available options include:

• Inpatient or residential care
• Partial hospitalization programs
• Intensive outpatient programs
• Outpatient programs
• Early intervention programs

Potential options include:

• Brief interventions
• Relapse prevention programs
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Contingency management
• Mutual self-help groups

Keep in mind there are other options available.

Evidence-Based Online Addiction Treatment Programs

The best facilities use evidence-based treatments backed by scientific study. They also employ experts with proven backgrounds in addiction treatment and supporting care.

Treatments used by these experts include both medications and behavior therapy. How is online treatment different? Instead of receiving help in-person, you receive it remotely over the Internet.

Some online programs provide help through resources you can use on your computer. Others provide help through smartphone apps designed for that purpose. Since help is offered remotely in online treatment, it does not typically include the use of medication.

Remote programs rely on a range of non-medication options. If possible, these options should be evidence-based, just like high-quality traditional treatments. Addiction studies show that a number online approaches meet this standard.

Potential options include:

• Brief interventions
• Relapse prevention programs
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Contingency management
• Mutual self-help groups

Online care doesn’t have to conflict with traditional treatment at a private practice or clinic. In fact, the two can work together to help you get sober and stay sober. In some cases, your health insurance may cover the cost of online care.

Details of Available Online Addiction Treatment Programs

Brief Interventions

Brief interventions are short, educational programs lasting five minutes to half an hour.

These programs aim to identify people in danger of developing a chemical dependence on drugs or alcohol. If you fall into this category, your program will educate you about the risks of your behavior. It will also encourage you to change that behavior before you become addicted.

Brief interventions often form part of a larger approach called SBIRT. This acronym stands for screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment.

SBIRT programs ask you questions about your substance use. They then use their answers to do one of two things. If you have a risk of developing an addiction, they’ll continue on to a brief intervention.

If your answers show that you already have diagnosable problems, you’ll receive a referral to seek further help.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly used in-person treatment for substance problems. It also plays a big role in a lot of online addiction programs and smart apps. CBT has a couple of important goals.

First, it helps you recognize harmful ways of thinking that make substance abuse more likely. Examples here include negative thoughts and overreactions to stressful or emotional situations. CBT then follows up by showing you ways you can change these harmful responses for the better.

The techniques you learn help you improve your resistance to stress. In this way, they help you make better decisions about drug or alcohol use.

Contingency Management

Contingency management is also used in face-to-face addiction treatment programs. It aims to help you maintain abstinence and stick with the goals of your program. Contingency management does this by providing some kind of reward for your positive behaviors.

In traditional treatment, common rewards include prizes and vouchers you can exchange for something valuable. Online programs also offer desirable rewards in one form or another.

Call for More Details About Online Addiction Treatment

Relapse Prevention Programs

Relapse prevention programs aim to stop you from going back to substance use after getting sober. These programs recognize that relapses don’t usually happen out of the blue.

Instead, they develop gradually through three stages that include:

• Unconscious thoughts or behaviors that make you more likely to use
• A clear urge to drink or use drugs
• Actual consumption of drugs or alcohol

Relapse prevention programs help you disrupt this chain of events. They do so by helping you recognize the signs of an oncoming problem. They also help you develop a concrete plan for how to respond to any warning signs that appear.

Mutual Self-Help Groups

Mutual self-help groups rely on peer support and other techniques to help you maintain your sobriety. The most famous example of these support groups is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Today, AA and many other organizations have an online presence. This presence allows you to attend meetings remotely instead of in-person.

Why Is Online Addiction Treatment Used

Why are online drug treatment and online alcohol treatment important? After all, plenty of in-person programs exist around the country.

Why would you use an online recovery program instead? There are several answers to this question.

First, most people affected by drug or alcohol problems simply don’t get help. That’s true for people of all ages, from teenagers to senior citizens.

Addiction specialists and public health officials know the dangers of this widespread situation. To combat it, they try to find new ways to encourage affected Americans to get help. In today’s world, the Internet provides an excellent way to reach people all across the country.

Online addiction programs can use this modern reality to increase access to substance treatment. Increased access can be especially important if you live in an area that lacks in-person addiction services.

There’s also the matter of convenience. If you can get treatment online instead of in-person, it may be easier for you to find help that fits your daily routine. In turn, this may make it easier to stick with your treatment and avoid future problems.

There’s another reason why more and more programs offer online addiction counseling. Research shows that certain groups of people tend to avoid seeking substance treatment in a traditional setting.

These groups include:

• Teenagers and young adults
• Women
• People who are at risk for developing serious substance problems

Evidence indicates that people in these categories may be more willing to get help if they can do it online, instead.

Does Online Addiction Treatment Work

You may wonder about the usefulness of online drug addiction help. You may also have similar questions about online alcohol addiction help. The short answer is that these treatments can work when they use evidence-based techniques.

For example, a 2010 project looked at the results of more than 30 studies on online alcohol interventions. This research found that online alcohol counseling can be useful. That’s especially true for people who might not otherwise seek help for their substance problems.

Another example comes from a 2018 study that looked at the usefulness of online cognitive behavioral therapy.

This study covered addiction to a range of substances, including :

• Alcohol
• Opioid drugs and medications
• Cocaine
• Marijuana

The researchers in charge of the project found that use of online CBT clearly provided a benefit. They also found that people who use this online therapy tend to have positive feelings about it. In addition, the study found that people receiving online care actually stuck with their programs more often than people receiving traditional CBT.

How Can You Tell If Online Counselors Are Qualified?

There’s one remaining concern about drug and alcohol programs online. Namely, how can you tell if the counselors they employ have the training needed to help you? To help make sure you receive high-quality care, you should look for certain things.

Perhaps the biggest thing to look for is a certificate or degree in addiction treatment. Your state may have specific educational requirements for anyone acting as a substance abuse counselor.

In many cases, a bachelor’s degree forms part of the required qualifications. In addition, well-qualified counselors have spent hundreds of hours studying addiction-related topics. They’ve also received training in specific counseling techniques. Many hold advanced degrees. They may also have studied in related fields such as social work, mental health, or human services.

Addiction recovery certificate programs can also provide credentials for in-person and online counselors. One of the most well-known certifying organizations is The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). NAADAC offers several types of nationwide, voluntary credential programs.

Seek Advice for Online Addiction Treatment

Online programs can help substance abusers in several ways. If you’re in danger of developing an addiction, they can help you steer clear of your problems. If you already suffer from addiction, they can help you stick to your treatment program and learn new coping skills. They can also help you avoid relapses.

Online mutual self-help groups like AA can also support your recovery. Like traditional programs, online options work best when they use proven treatments and a well-trained staff.

Online Addiction Treatment at Resurgence Behavioral Health

Interested in seeking an online treatment for addiction? Just contact us today at 855-458-0050.

We can provide you with everything you need to make sound decisions about your options.

Time is of the essence for anyone with a serious substance problem.

The sooner you choose your care, the sooner you can start your journey toward sobriety.