Virtual Rehab: A Complete Guide to Virtual Outpatient Services

24 Nov, 2020
virtual rehab

Nearly 30% of adults in the United States have met the criteria for alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives.

Addictions of any kind are common and nothing to be ashamed of, and following through with your recovery is a big deal.

We don’t always have the ability to go to in-person services (between the current situation, any limiting disabilities, and just busy day-to-day lives), so how can you get the care and attention that you need to beat your addiction?

With the advancement of telehealth, a virtual rehab is now an option. While it’s nontraditional,

can be incredibly beneficial for those who are working through the recovery process.

It may not look like the rehabilitation services that you’re used to, but it might still be a good fit.

Keep reading to learn about virtual rehab and to discover if it’s right for you.

What is Virtual Rehab?

Virtual rehab is a convenient and supportive outpatient program that’s geared towards those who are working through their recovery process.

Rather than moving into a recovery center full time, or going to multiple weekly appointments, the person in recovery simply has to log into the treatment portal to have their sessions with mental health professionals.

Sessions happen several times per week for a few hours per day, allowing patients to get the contact that they need without ever having to leave their homes.

Virtual outpatient services are intensive. While they’re online, professionals are there to guide the patient through the recovery process. This isn’t a substitute for residential inpatient or partial hospitalization, but it is a way to access an important part of the recovery journey.

Why Choose Virtual Rehab?

In a perfect world, everyone would have the opportunity to do IOP (intensive-outpatient programming) and then outpatient treatment.

Unfortunately, most people have responsibilities that keep them from reaching their full treatment potential. People have to work and go to school, and many have families and children that they need to tend to.

The fast-paced and expensive world that we live in simply isn’t suited to fully committing to mental and physical health. Rather than abandon it completely, virtual outpatient services allow a patient to continue receiving care even when life gets in the way.

Addiction recovery isn’t a one-time event. It’s a journey, and it’s full of bumps and curves that can overwhelm someone who doesn’t have adequate support.

Within the first year of recovery up to 60% of people will relapse. Relapse is a part of the recovery process and shouldn’t be shamed, but that doesn’t mean that extra support isn’t essential.

Proper outpatient support is the key to making it through that rough first year with guidance instead of trying to go it alone.

Who Can Benefit from Virtual Outpatient Services?

Virtual outpatient services aren’t necessarily for everyone. You should look at your situation and see if a distance or telehealth approach is going to be useful to you.

While our virtual outpatient services are open to any residents of California, you need to know yourself before you commit to starting treatment.

Your Point On the Recovery Timeline

Those who are at the very beginning of their rehab journey may benefit more from an inpatient program. This varies depending on your situation, and many people are able to reach the point of outpatient treatment on their own, but you need to set yourself up for success.

In the recovery process, detox comes first. While this can sometimes be completed at home under the watchful eye of family, it is ultimately a health issue and may be better served by full-time inpatient treatment with the guidance of nurses and other health professionals.

Detox can be dangerous and frightening, and it’s helpful to have that kind of hands-on support that early inpatient treatment can offer.

After this, it really depends on you and your recovery style. Residential inpatient is recommended for at least a brief spell after your detox to allow you to get back on your feet, so to speak, before you enter back into the “real world”. Not everyone has the time or need for this, though.

Generally speaking, outpatient services work best for those who have reached 90-day treatment goals. That said, not everyone’s recovery journey looks the same, and receiving virtual outpatient care is a great choice for anyone looking to fully recover.

Your Personal Support System

Virtual outpatient services provide the mental healthcare that you need to make it all the way through your initial recovery journey. Some people may benefit more from in-person interaction, though, so it’s crucial to have a strong home or group support system in place to keep you accountable and safe.

If you have strong familial or friendly bonds, a group for other people in recovery, or even a strong online support system, you’ll have an easier time with a virtual rehabilitation service.

For the recovering addict, a support system is everything. It’s easy to feel distant when your doctor is on the other side of a screen, but know that they’re also a part of your support system.

If you’re confident and supported, virtual rehab is a great option for you.

Let Us Facilitate Your Recovery Journey

If you’re working on your recovery journey, virtual rehab might be the perfect next step that can allow you to get back to your normal life without abandoning the care and support that you need to fully recover.

You can receive the same standard of care from your own living room while also going to work, school, or any other obligations that may have been missed through standard outpatient programs.

We want to reach every person on their recovery journey so that they’re supported and able to thrive. If this sounds like something that you need, visit our site and contact us to learn more.

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