Online Addiction Counseling

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTechniquesBenefitsEffectivenessPotential DrawbacksTips and StrategiesWhat to ExpectGetting StartedNext in Working With a Therapist GuidePros and Cons of Online Couples Therapy

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Techniques

Benefits

Effectiveness

Potential Drawbacks

Tips and Strategies

What to Expect

Getting Started

Next in Working With a Therapist Guide

Substance addictions like alcohol and narcotics and behavioral addictions like gambling or sex can have a physical, emotional, social, and financial impact on a person’s life. Fortunately, effective treatments are available—including online options. Online therapy can be a viable option for people who are dealing with addictions.Research has found that people who have online therapy for the treatment ofsubstance use disordersshow improvement over those who do not receive any treatment.Learn about how online therapy for addiction works, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and how to get started with online addiction counseling.TechniquesSome evidence-based therapeutic approaches are easier to adapt to an online format than others, such as:Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is used most often and focuses on helping people recognize and avoid negative thoughts and actions. This method may be used to help people learn how to recognize triggers that lead to cravings and then learn how to avoid them.Motivational interviewing: Motivational interviewing is another approach that can work in an online format. In this therapy technique, therapists lead structured conversations that help people learn how to recognize how their lives could be different and better if they stop their substance use. This leads the person experiencing addiction through the stages of change, from first considering what addiction does to them in their lives to actively taking steps to counter their addiction.Because both of these methods are based in talk therapy, it’s easy to engage virtually.We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBTPotential BenefitsHere are some of the benefits online therapy for addiction has over traditional face-to-face therapy.Enhanced PrivacyUnfortunately, social stigmas still surround addiction treatment. This can cause you to worry about being recognized when arriving or leaving an addiction treatment center. As a result, you may not feel comfortable seeking help.Being able to access your treatment from anywhere—including the privacy of your own home—can more effectively control who knows about your treatment. It can take some of the fear of treatment away.More AccessibleAn estimated 10% to 12% of people with a substance use disorder don’t receive treatment.One reason people don’t seek help is their inability to physically access treatment. The availability of online therapy may help improve access to mental health services and make it more likely for people to get treatment.Online therapy can help people who may not be able to physically attend individual treatments or group meetings get the help that they need.Online options are also available anytime. Whenever you are feeling an urge orcraving, you can reach out to your therapist, work on a self-help module, find educational materials, or connect with a peer who is there to offer support.What Is Teletherapy?More OptionsOnline therapy can sometimes serve as an important first step toward more intensive interventions. In some cases, people who try online therapy first may be more likely to seek out traditional, face-to-face treatment services in the future.Studies have shown that people may also be more likely to stick with face-to-face therapy when it is supplemented with online treatment.EffectivenessTraditional addiction treatments tend to be underutilized and have a high dropout rate. This suggests that these traditional options may not be completely meeting people’s needs. Online therapy may help fill this gap for people who are not seeking out or sticking with traditional treatment approaches.According to a review of studies, online therapy may help you cut back on your substance use immediately after treatment and in long-term follow-up.However, the authors of the review suggest that further research is needed, particularly to explore and compare the effectiveness of different online options.Some research has indicated that online therapy may actually outperform traditional therapy in a few ways. Findings reported in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatryfound that participants in a web-based treatment had higher success rates and were less likely to drop out of treatment than those who were treated with in-person individual or group counseling.Potential DrawbacksOnline therapy can be affordable and convenient, but that doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone or every situation. Potential drawbacks might include:It’s harder to read body language. Therapists may find it more difficult to read body language when working with people online, particularly if they are not using video conferencing.Sessions might feel less intimate. Since you’re communicating with a therapist through a screen, sessions can feel less personal, which can make it harder to open up and be vulnerable.You may face technical issues. Depending on your location, your internet connection may be insufficient. There can also be occasional disruptions due to bad weather. These technology glitches and related obstacles can sometimes complicate the process.If you are experiencing thoughts ofsuicideorself-harmor experiencingpsychosis, online therapy may not be appropriate. However, online hotlines, chat lines, and text resources can put you in touch with professionals who are trained and prepared to help.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.Tips and StrategiesThere are some ways to help get more out of your online therapy experience:Build arapportwith your therapist. It’s important to feel that your therapist is genuine and empathetic so that you feel comfortable, safe, and respected. Talk to your therapist about what you can do to build this rapport in an online format.If you are transitioning from face-to-face therapy to online treatment, talk to your therapist about how the process will work and how you will deal with any issues that arise.If you are transitioning from a traditional support group to an online group, spend some time researching what’s available to determine what might be right for you and your needs. How will the group meet? How many people are in the group? What level of participation is required? All of these factors might play a role in determining what you get out of the group, so focus on finding something that you know you will be comfortable with.What to ExpectOnline addiction treatment relies on technology to deliver or enhance psychotherapy. There are a number of different online therapy options available for addiction treatment. These include:Therapist-led online therapy: Therapists can use online video, phone calls, emails, and chat to meet with clients virtually. Therapy sessions might occur much as they would in a regular office setting, but using online tools. However, FaceTime and Skype are notHIPAA-compliant(do not follow federal privacy laws); a therapist or doctor has to have a HIPAA-compliant platform such as VSee, Doxy.me, or Zoom.Computer-assisted therapy: People can also follow interactive, online curricula that guide them through a treatment process with little to no interaction with a therapist. You might watch instructional content, take computerized assessments, follow tutorials, and complete homework assignments as you work through a predefined set of lessons.Web-assisted therapy: This approach may utilize mobile apps or online therapy websites to guide people through sessions or activities.Technology-supplemented therapy: This process may combine traditional face-to-face therapy with technology such as text messaging, phone calls, video chats, or mobile apps.The approach that works best for you depends on a variety of factors. The severity of your symptoms may dictate the intensity of the treatment you need. If you require hospitalization, long-term residential treatment, or supervised detox, for example, then online therapy would not be an appropriate choice.Your access to and comfort with technology can also play a role in which option will work best for you. In turn, your therapist’s comfort with technology also determines how the treatment is delivered.One important thing to remember is that you don’t necessarily need to choose just one type of delivery. In many cases, you might end up with a combination of therapist-led, computer-assisted, and web-assisted therapy.8 Online Text Therapy Companies We Tested and RecommendHow to Get StartedFor anyone looking to receive treatment for addiction, reaching out to a qualified professional is usually the first step. You can search an online directory for individual therapists, ask your primary care provider for a referral, or researchonline therapy providers.Just as with face-to-face therapy, it’s important to find a qualified therapist with whom you feel comfortable. While the process of finding someone you think you can connect with may seem a little daunting, it’s well worth the effort.Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.How to Find a TherapistA Word From VerywellOnline therapy for addiction is not exactly the same as traditional treatments, but that doesn’t mean that it is inferior. It can be an essential and effective tool in your treatment arsenal. Talk to a doctor or therapist about whether this approach to treatment is appropriate for your needs.What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

Research has found that people who have online therapy for the treatment ofsubstance use disordersshow improvement over those who do not receive any treatment.

Learn about how online therapy for addiction works, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and how to get started with online addiction counseling.

Some evidence-based therapeutic approaches are easier to adapt to an online format than others, such as:

Because both of these methods are based in talk therapy, it’s easy to engage virtually.

We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBT

Potential Benefits

Here are some of the benefits online therapy for addiction has over traditional face-to-face therapy.

Enhanced Privacy

Unfortunately, social stigmas still surround addiction treatment. This can cause you to worry about being recognized when arriving or leaving an addiction treatment center. As a result, you may not feel comfortable seeking help.

Being able to access your treatment from anywhere—including the privacy of your own home—can more effectively control who knows about your treatment. It can take some of the fear of treatment away.

More Accessible

An estimated 10% to 12% of people with a substance use disorder don’t receive treatment.One reason people don’t seek help is their inability to physically access treatment. The availability of online therapy may help improve access to mental health services and make it more likely for people to get treatment.

Online therapy can help people who may not be able to physically attend individual treatments or group meetings get the help that they need.

Online options are also available anytime. Whenever you are feeling an urge orcraving, you can reach out to your therapist, work on a self-help module, find educational materials, or connect with a peer who is there to offer support.

What Is Teletherapy?

More Options

Online therapy can sometimes serve as an important first step toward more intensive interventions. In some cases, people who try online therapy first may be more likely to seek out traditional, face-to-face treatment services in the future.

Studies have shown that people may also be more likely to stick with face-to-face therapy when it is supplemented with online treatment.

Traditional addiction treatments tend to be underutilized and have a high dropout rate. This suggests that these traditional options may not be completely meeting people’s needs. Online therapy may help fill this gap for people who are not seeking out or sticking with traditional treatment approaches.

According to a review of studies, online therapy may help you cut back on your substance use immediately after treatment and in long-term follow-up.However, the authors of the review suggest that further research is needed, particularly to explore and compare the effectiveness of different online options.

Some research has indicated that online therapy may actually outperform traditional therapy in a few ways. Findings reported in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatryfound that participants in a web-based treatment had higher success rates and were less likely to drop out of treatment than those who were treated with in-person individual or group counseling.

Online therapy can be affordable and convenient, but that doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone or every situation. Potential drawbacks might include:

If you are experiencing thoughts ofsuicideorself-harmor experiencingpsychosis, online therapy may not be appropriate. However, online hotlines, chat lines, and text resources can put you in touch with professionals who are trained and prepared to help.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

There are some ways to help get more out of your online therapy experience:

Online addiction treatment relies on technology to deliver or enhance psychotherapy. There are a number of different online therapy options available for addiction treatment. These include:

The approach that works best for you depends on a variety of factors. The severity of your symptoms may dictate the intensity of the treatment you need. If you require hospitalization, long-term residential treatment, or supervised detox, for example, then online therapy would not be an appropriate choice.

Your access to and comfort with technology can also play a role in which option will work best for you. In turn, your therapist’s comfort with technology also determines how the treatment is delivered.

One important thing to remember is that you don’t necessarily need to choose just one type of delivery. In many cases, you might end up with a combination of therapist-led, computer-assisted, and web-assisted therapy.

8 Online Text Therapy Companies We Tested and Recommend

How to Get Started

For anyone looking to receive treatment for addiction, reaching out to a qualified professional is usually the first step. You can search an online directory for individual therapists, ask your primary care provider for a referral, or researchonline therapy providers.

Just as with face-to-face therapy, it’s important to find a qualified therapist with whom you feel comfortable. While the process of finding someone you think you can connect with may seem a little daunting, it’s well worth the effort.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

How to Find a Therapist

A Word From Verywell

Online therapy for addiction is not exactly the same as traditional treatments, but that doesn’t mean that it is inferior. It can be an essential and effective tool in your treatment arsenal. Talk to a doctor or therapist about whether this approach to treatment is appropriate for your needs.

What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ho C, Severn M.E-therapy interventions for the treatments of substance use disorders and other addictions: A review of clinical effectiveness. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2018.Winerman L.Breaking free from addiction.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(6):30.Hammarlund R, Crapanzano KA, Luce L, Mulligan L, Ward KM.Review of the effects of self-stigma and perceived social stigma on the treatment-seeking decisions of individuals with drug- and alcohol-use disorders.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2018;9:115–136. doi:10.2147/SAR.S183256Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.Campbell AN, Nunes EV, Matthews AG, et al.Internet-delivered treatment for substance abuse: A multisite randomized controlled trial.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(6):683-90. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13081055Gainsbury S, Blaszczynski A.A systematic review of Internet-based therapy for the treatment of addictions.Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31(3):490–498. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.11.007Kiluk BD, Nich C, Buck MB, et al.Randomized clinical trial of computerized and clinician-delivered CBT in comparison with standard outpatient treatment for substance use disorders: Primary within-treatment and follow-up outcomes.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(9):853-863. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17090978

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ho C, Severn M.E-therapy interventions for the treatments of substance use disorders and other addictions: A review of clinical effectiveness. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2018.Winerman L.Breaking free from addiction.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(6):30.Hammarlund R, Crapanzano KA, Luce L, Mulligan L, Ward KM.Review of the effects of self-stigma and perceived social stigma on the treatment-seeking decisions of individuals with drug- and alcohol-use disorders.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2018;9:115–136. doi:10.2147/SAR.S183256Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.Campbell AN, Nunes EV, Matthews AG, et al.Internet-delivered treatment for substance abuse: A multisite randomized controlled trial.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(6):683-90. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13081055Gainsbury S, Blaszczynski A.A systematic review of Internet-based therapy for the treatment of addictions.Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31(3):490–498. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.11.007Kiluk BD, Nich C, Buck MB, et al.Randomized clinical trial of computerized and clinician-delivered CBT in comparison with standard outpatient treatment for substance use disorders: Primary within-treatment and follow-up outcomes.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(9):853-863. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17090978

Ho C, Severn M.E-therapy interventions for the treatments of substance use disorders and other addictions: A review of clinical effectiveness. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2018.Winerman L.Breaking free from addiction.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(6):30.Hammarlund R, Crapanzano KA, Luce L, Mulligan L, Ward KM.Review of the effects of self-stigma and perceived social stigma on the treatment-seeking decisions of individuals with drug- and alcohol-use disorders.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2018;9:115–136. doi:10.2147/SAR.S183256Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.Campbell AN, Nunes EV, Matthews AG, et al.Internet-delivered treatment for substance abuse: A multisite randomized controlled trial.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(6):683-90. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13081055Gainsbury S, Blaszczynski A.A systematic review of Internet-based therapy for the treatment of addictions.Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31(3):490–498. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.11.007Kiluk BD, Nich C, Buck MB, et al.Randomized clinical trial of computerized and clinician-delivered CBT in comparison with standard outpatient treatment for substance use disorders: Primary within-treatment and follow-up outcomes.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(9):853-863. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17090978

Winerman L.Breaking free from addiction.Monitor on Psychology. 2013;44(6):30.

Hammarlund R, Crapanzano KA, Luce L, Mulligan L, Ward KM.Review of the effects of self-stigma and perceived social stigma on the treatment-seeking decisions of individuals with drug- and alcohol-use disorders.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2018;9:115–136. doi:10.2147/SAR.S183256

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Campbell AN, Nunes EV, Matthews AG, et al.Internet-delivered treatment for substance abuse: A multisite randomized controlled trial.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(6):683-90. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13081055

Gainsbury S, Blaszczynski A.A systematic review of Internet-based therapy for the treatment of addictions.Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31(3):490–498. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.11.007

Kiluk BD, Nich C, Buck MB, et al.Randomized clinical trial of computerized and clinician-delivered CBT in comparison with standard outpatient treatment for substance use disorders: Primary within-treatment and follow-up outcomes.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(9):853-863. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17090978

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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