In the last few years, the virtual vs. in-person debate has been widespread. With working from home, the rise of restaurant takeout delivery services, and virtual social gatherings, the idea of doing things virtually instead of in person has affected all aspects of society. And that’s no different with therapy and addiction treatment. As you’re looking into therapy options, should you consider online addiction treatment or in-person addiction treatment? Is there that much of a difference between online vs. in-person therapy? Let’s explore.
Online Addiction Treatment: The Pros
Trying to overcome addiction is a serious endeavor. Getting sober from alcohol or drugs isn’t a quick fix by any means. However, the prospect of doing addiction treatment online makes the process sound more manageable on the surface. In the context of online vs. in-person therapy, virtual addiction treatment allows you to get help without leaving home. This makes therapy convenient and accessible, since you’re not having to travel or even pursue out of state rehab. Because of this accessibility, sometimes the costs of online addiction treatment are cheaper than traditional treatment programs, too.
Virtual addiction treatment also gives you a greater sense of privacy. For some, the stigmas of therapy can prevent them from ever getting the help they need, allowing their addiction to get worse. With an online therapy program, your interactions with people are more limited, which can help you remain more anonymous and keep fears of being “found out” at bay.
Online Addiction Treatment: The Cons
With that said, there are a number of cons that make online addiction treatment a challenge. The big detractor of virtual addiction treatment is simply the fact that you’re not going through treatment in person, face-to-face. This limits the amount of care you can actually receive, and when you’re trying to overcome addiction, having the best care available is incredibly important.
When you’re doing online therapy, the lack of personal interaction hinders your ability to get the support you need at the moment. As we’ve discovered over the years, there’s still great value in face-to-face interactions, and addiction treatment is no exception. Receiving virtual treatment also hinders clinical supervision. Especially in the early days of addiction treatment, you need 24/7 care and accountability to fend off withdrawal symptoms, heal your trauma, and learn to cope without substances. Without in-person care and support, you’re more likely to quit your treatment before it gets off the ground.
Technical difficulties can also unfortunately get in the way in online addiction treatment. When there’s connectivity issues, buffering, and pixelated screens, it takes away from the therapy and treatment you’re receiving in each session. And because you’re participating in online treatment, there is always the possibility of cybersecurity concerns, no matter how secure your connection may be.
Online vs. In-Person Therapy: The Case for In-Person
In-person therapy occurs face-to-face between the client and a licensed therapist at a treatment center or private office, shares Psychology.org. When you enroll in residential treatment, such as our residential treatment programs at Integrative Life Center, you’re at a neutral site away from the distractions and addiction triggers of home. Not only does this allow you to wholly focus on your recovery, you’re also in a safe, caring space that’s designed for your healing.
A residential treatment center gives you the time and attention you need to fully address your addiction, including its underlying causes, such as past trauma from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Because overcoming addiction is about more than just discipline and behavior modification, you really need more intensive, hands-on treatment that online therapy can’t provide. But if you’re in a residential facility, your therapist can take a holistic treatment approach, utilizing both evidence-based and experiential therapies to help you achieve whole-person healing.
Because of residential treatment’s impact, many people choose to set aside time out of their schedules and even travel to obtain the best in-person addiction treatment possible. And in-person also has another advantage that online addiction treatment does not: non-verbal communication. While you may be able to pick up on some cues through a screen (as long as your internet connection is good), the in-person setting allows your therapist to better understand your responses, needs, and goals throughout your recovery.
Our View: In-Person Addiction Treatment is the Better Option
Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person? We don’t think so. When you’re struggling with addiction and wanting to achieve lasting healing, an in-person, residential treatment program is your best choice. Considering the quality treatment you can get with in-person therapy, many people are willing to sacrifice online convenience to get the utmost in care when it comes to their sobriety.
If you’re exploring addiction treatment options, we can help at Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN. As a comprehensive treatment facility, we address substance use disorders, intimacy disorders, mental health disorders, eating disorders, and co-occurring disorders. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact our team today.
