What is Telehealth?

Telehealth is the remote delivery and facilitation of health-related services and care through technology. As it pertains to addiction treatment, telehealth consists of remote programs that people in recovery can access from their technological devices. This means that people with an addiction can attend rehab for substances like alcohol and opioids from the comfort of their own homes.

Telehealth therapy is arguably one of the most common forms of telehealth in the world today. This is because of all the benefits it provides clients. Clients significantly benefit from telehealth therapy when it is part of their addiction treatment program.

For you to capitalize on the benefits of telehealth addiction treatment and online substance abuse counseling, you must first understand all the different aspects of telehealth and all the ways that it can be effectively used for addiction treatment.

Patient in a telehealth therapy session with Coastal Detox
Telehealth technology for remote addiction therapy

Types of Technology Used in Telehealth

Since we live in a technological age, you can access online substance abuse counseling through a variety of devices. For example, you can receive telehealth therapy through video or text messaging on your phone, laptop, or iPad.

Smartphone

Laptop

Video Calls

Text Messaging

Benefits of Telehealth for Addiction Treatment

Telehealth is beneficial for healthcare services due to its accessibility. It is also beneficial for addiction treatment because it makes life easier for patients. Continue reading to learn about how telehealth benefits the addiction treatment process.

Flexibility

Telehealth allows patients to receive treatment at a time that works best for them. As long as patients and their therapists agree on session times, they can receive treatment while retaining jobs and day-to-day responsibilities.

Minimizes Negative Stigma

Because telehealth is remote, you can receive treatment while at home without worrying about others seeing or knowing that you’re attending addiction treatment. This reduces the stigma and shame that comes with rehab.

Greater Access

People who live in remote areas or impoverished regions with no nearby rehab centers finally have access to excellent treatment. Telehealth bridges the gap between rural communities and specialized care.

Access to Online Tools

Use online portals to review tests and records, make appointments, and view progress charts. Treatment specialists can check in with you through mobile devices to track recovery after treatment.

Reduces Treatment Costs

Telehealth addiction treatment is more affordable than in-person treatment because you don’t have to pay for in-person services. Individuals won’t have to worry about breaking their banks to receive help.

Telemedicine

The ability to deliver medications to your home through telehealth services. This is excellent for people in addiction treatment who need medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and mental illness.

What is Telehealth Therapy?

Telehealth therapy is remote counseling that is given to people online. When it comes to addiction treatment, telehealth therapy is online substance abuse counseling. Telehealth therapy allows addiction treatment patients to have deep conversations about themselves and their journey with addiction while in the privacy of their own homes. This can make it easier to be vulnerable during telehealth therapy.

Although receiving therapy while in the comfort of your own home can make you more vulnerable during telehealth therapy, not seeing your therapist in person during therapy can create an emotional barrier between the two of you. While there are pros and cons to receiving telehealth therapy, there are many benefits that it provides mental health treatment.

Benefits of Telehealth Therapy for Mental Health Treatment

Mental health treatment is a major component of addiction treatment. Therefore, to be beneficial to addiction treatment, telehealth counseling must also be helpful to mental health treatment.

Compensates for Shortage of Professionals

Telehealth therapy helps people in smaller towns with no rehab centers receive addiction treatment therapy from treatment centers elsewhere online.

Provides Accessibility to All Types of Clients

People who lack transportation or are not very mobile can receive addiction treatment and therapy without leaving their homes, including those with terminal illnesses.

Different Types of Telehealth Therapy

There are different types of telehealth therapy. This is because people in recovery may need individual, group, or family therapy online.

Telehealth Individual Therapy

One-on-one sessions with just you and a therapist online. This is the most common form of telehealth therapy.

Telehealth Group Therapy

A small group gathers on a video conference call or group chat to receive online substance abuse counseling through the same addiction treatment center.

Telehealth Family Therapy

You, your therapist, and your family members all join the same video conference call or group chat for family counseling from the comfort of home.

Different Forms of Outpatient Telehealth

Because telehealth therapy occurs outside of the home, all forms of telehealth therapy are outpatient. Just as there are a variety of different forms of outpatient therapy when addiction treatment is done in person, there are also many forms of outpatient telehealth therapy.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Telehealth Counseling

Online substance abuse counseling that occurs for around 5-6 hours a day, six days a week. People who aren’t that far along in their online addiction treatment should use PHP telehealth therapy.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Telehealth Counseling

Online substance abuse counseling that occurs for around 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week. For those further along in recovery than PHP patients but still needing intensive care.

Outpatient Telehealth Counseling

Online substance abuse counseling that occurs 1-2 times a week. This is the least time-consuming and structured outpatient telehealth therapy for those far along in addiction treatment.

Telehealth for Prescriptions

Another name for using telehealth to receive prescription medications is telemedicine. You can use telemedicine services to receive addiction treatment prescription medications. You have to have an in-person doctor’s appointment first.

The only addiction treatment medications that doctors can prescribe you virtually are those related to opioid addiction. The reason why it is easier to get opioid addiction medications through telehealth is because of efforts to fight against the opioid epidemic.

What is Ambulatory Detox?

Ambulatory detox is a detox given through outpatient care. During ambulatory detox, you spend all day at the detox center. Once the day ends, you can spend your nights at home. Because detox is the one addiction treatment program that requires hospitalization, you cannot receive it through telehealth. Thus, the only form of outpatient detox is ambulatory detox.

Level I-D: Ambulatory Detox Without Extended Onsite Monitoring

In this form of ambulatory detox, you will receive detox treatment through more brief, scheduled appointments at a doctor’s office. You should receive this form of ambulatory detox if your withdrawal symptoms are not severe, and you don’t need intensive monitoring to stay clean. Only receive ambulatory detox if you have a stable home life to go to with people who support and respect your addiction treatment journey.

Level II-D: Ambulatory Detox With Extended Onsite Monitoring

In this form of ambulatory detox, you will receive detox treatment all day at a day hospital that offers detox services. This form of ambulatory detox is very similar to the standard inpatient rehab form of detox. The only difference is that you get to go home at the end of the day. You should receive this form if you need intense monitoring due to heavy withdrawal symptoms. If you don’t have a stable home environment with supportive people, you should attend inpatient detox and rehab.

Receive Addiction Treatment and Therapy at Coastal Detox

Coastal Detox is dedicated to providing high-quality detox and addiction treatment services. Here you can receive addiction treatment for every substance, from alcohol to opioids, heroin, cocaine, crack, meth, painkillers, and benzodiazepines. We also offer a wide variety of therapies to meet all your mental health needs. Contact us today to learn more about Coastal Detox and our addiction treatment and therapy services.

FAQs About Telehealth Therapy

Telehealth therapy is remote counseling given to people online. When it comes to addiction treatment, telehealth therapy is online substance abuse counseling that allows patients to have deep conversations about themselves and their journey with addiction while in the privacy of their own homes.

Telehealth therapy works through video conferencing, phone calls, text messaging, or online portals. Patients connect with licensed therapists and addiction specialists remotely, receiving the same quality counseling they would in person—from the comfort and privacy of home.

Anyone with a stable home environment who is motivated to recover can benefit from telehealth therapy. It is especially ideal for people who lack transportation, live in remote areas, have mobility limitations, or need flexibility to maintain work and family responsibilities.

Yes. Research has shown that telehealth therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for many substance use and mental health disorders. Success depends on patient commitment, therapist expertise, and consistent participation in the program.

Telehealth offers individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed counseling—all delivered through secure video or phone platforms.

Most major insurance plans now cover telehealth therapy services, especially following expanded coverage guidelines. Our admissions team can verify your specific benefits and explain your coverage for online counseling and treatment.

Yes. Many patients combine telehealth therapy with in-person care as part of a stepped or hybrid treatment model. Telehealth can serve as a bridge between residential treatment and independent recovery, or as ongoing support after completing a program.

During a session, you’ll connect with your therapist via secure video call or phone. Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes. You’ll discuss your progress, challenges, and goals, and your therapist will guide you through evidence-based therapeutic techniques just as they would in person.