Telehealth for Addiction Treatment

The World Health Organization (WHO), reports that more than 3 out of 4 people (three-quarters) around the world who suffer from substance use disorders (SUD) and mental illness receive little to no treatment. Extensive evidence-based research has proven that there is an unmet demand for those who need addiction treatment. In other words, there is a large gap between what is needed, and what is available. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the United States, business and schools have been forced to close, resulting in a stay at home order. For those who suffer from substance abuse virtual help such as telehealth is more critical than ever. In these times of fear and uncertainty, while in-person care may not be an option, at Ken Seeley Rehab in Palm Springs, California, help is still readily accessible through our telehealth addiction treatment services.

WHAT IS TELEHEALTH? 

Thanks to the continuous evolution within the field of telecommunications, in regards to the advances in network and wireless technologies, the healthcare industry has improved dramatically thanks to telehealth. 

Telehealth allows for high-quality long-distance virtual care, allowing doctors in various specialties to diagnose and provide treatment to patients remotely from the comfort of their own home, without having to travel to the actual clinic or doctor’s office in-person. The aspects of telehealth include the following:

• Video Conferencing 
• Text messaging and chat capabilities
• Web-based tools
• Mobile applications
• Telephone-based communication

COMPONENTS OF TELEHEALTH 

There are various aspects of telehealth that prove why technology is omnipresent. Patient to physician contact along with care, advice, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions are important components of online health care. 

Especially for those suffering from addiction, telehealth has become a very important tool and a major source of help today. The major four modalities of telehealth include: 

WHY IS TELEHEALTH BENEFICIAL? 

Telehealth services are most beneficial for individuals who need proper care and are unable to attend treatment in person or those who may be afraid of going to the doctor. 

As present times have turned into a time of uncertainty and fear, during this evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the new normal is being quarantined and staying safe at home. This has caused businesses to close, unemployment, and financial hardship. 

While healthcare facilities and care are considered an essential business, some people still do not seek treatment due to expenses, and belief that it doesn’t exist.  

Especially in rural and remote areas that lack sufficient health care resources and services, including specialty care such as addiction treatment, virtual care such as telehealth has become a critical tool and major source of help. The main benefits of telehealth include:

• Enables healthcare providers to treat patients more efficiently and diagnose more accurately 
• Patients can heal and receive care in the comfort of their own home
• Expanding access to healthcare to people living in more rural areas
• Increases the quality of care for patients while lowering costs of treatment
• Access to medical specialists increases for those who may have limited resources
• Increases ability for healthcare providers and facilities to gather medical data easier.

Visit www.kenseeleyrehab.com or call them now at 760-507-2561