This past week, did you work remotely from home or go into the office every day? In recent years, we’ve been oscillating between virtual and in-person activities in several phases of society, from restaurant delivery to working at home, FaceTiming with relatives, and more. Even therapy and addiction treatment have provided virtual opportunities for clients to consider. If you’re wading through your addiction therapy options, should you choose online addiction treatment or in-person, residential addiction treatment?
The Case for Online Addiction Treatment
Let’s face it. Attempting to recover from addiction is hard work. Achieving long-term sobriety from drugs or alcohol is not something you can do overnight. With that said, the possibility of going through addiction treatment online may sound more doable to you. Considering online vs. in-person therapy options, virtual addiction treatment lets you get help from the comforts of home. Since you’re not having to travel for treatment or even commute locally, therapy is much more convenient and accessible. And at times, the costs of online addiction treatment are more affordable than traditional residential treatment programs as well.
If you’re nervous about going to treatment, virtual addiction treatment also tends to create a greater sense of privacy. Going to therapy is still stigmatized in our culture, so some people may never choose to get treatment as a result. If that’s you, then an online therapy program allows you to have more limited interactions with people. This can help you stay anonymous if you’re worried others may see you going to therapy.
The Case Against Online Addiction Treatment
While online addiction treatment may have its appeal, there are some substantial negatives about it as well. A major hurdle of virtual addiction treatment is the reality that you’re not experiencing treatment in person, face-to-face with treatment professionals in a controlled environment. Consequently, the amount of care you can actually receive is limited. This is important to know, as it’s ideal to have the best care available to you when trying to get sober.
The lack of personal interaction in online therapy also prevents you from getting real physical and emotional support from an actual human. Even in this digital age, we’re realizing that face-to-face connections still have their place, and this remains very true in addiction treatment. At the same time, clinical supervision is often lacking within online addiction treatment. When you’re trying to recover (especially early in the process), you really need constant care and accountability to navigate withdrawal, address your underlying trauma, and learn healthier coping mechanisms. But if you’re doing this all on your own from home, you’re more likely to give up before you make the progress you need.
When you’re participating in a virtual addiction treatment program, you also have to deal with technical difficulties. Whether it’s buffering, pixelated screens, or delays, connectivity problems hinder the treatment you’re receiving. And since you’re engaging in treatment over the internet, cybersecurity concerns are an issue, no matter the security of your connection. If there is a breach, the anonymity you sought may no longer exist.
Online vs. In-Person Therapy: Choosing In-Person Instead
On the other hand, participating in therapy in-person means you’re meeting with a licensed therapist or treatment team at a private office or treatment facility. When you choose to participate in a residential addiction treatment program, you’re at a safe, intentional place away from any distractions or addiction triggers you’d face at home. This keeps your recovery your primary focus during treatment, as well as helps you from relapsing when treatment gets challenging.
Choosing to partner with an in-person, residential treatment center gives you the attention, time, and resources you need to heal from your addiction, such as treating the root trauma—like any adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), for example—that’s going on underneath the surface. Recovering from addiction takes more than just changes and behavior and self-discipline. Once you understand this, you also realize that you need more dedicated, hands-on care that online addiction treatment can’t support on its own. However, a residential treatment center takes a holistic addiction treatment approach, incorporating experiential and evidence-based therapies to give you the best possible chance at healing.
Since in-person, residential treatment is so effective, many people are willing to take time out of their schedules or event travel for treatment. And in the context of online vs. in-person therapy, non-verbal communication is more noticeable in in-person treatment. This not only provides your therapists with more valuable information about your condition, shares the University of Colorado Denver. It also enables both a more thorough assessment and a more accurate interpretation of your needs, allowing you to get the precise, individualized treatment you deserve.
Make the Best Choice With In-Person Addiction Treatment
So, is virtual therapy as effective as in-person therapy? We don’t believe so. While any therapy is better than none, an in-person residential treatment program is your best choice for achieving lasting healing from addiction. With the holistic, quality treatment you can receive with in-person therapy, several people like you are willing to set aside the convenience of virtual treatment to get the best care possible for their long-term health. If you’re ready to overcome your addiction and are exploring your treatment options, we can help at Sana at Stowe in Stowe, VT. Our comprehensive addiction treatment center in New England can address both your alcohol or drug addiction and any co-occurring disorders together. Contact our team now to learn more about our residential and outpatient treatment programs.
