Telemedicine Uses – Alcohol Treatment
Individuals from all social and economic levels can suffer from alcohol dependence. When they know they need treatment, some of them can’t access it either because they don’t have time or worry about the social stigma of being an alcoholic. Recovery may be the only thing that saves their family, job, or finances, though, so they should consider telemedicine as an option.
The homeless people you see on the street are only the public face of alcoholism. One may work in the office or cubicle next to you, or even live in your own home. It is estimated that over 1 in 10 Americans suffer today. No matter who they are, at some time, hopefully, they realize that they need alcohol treatment. Sadly, many will postpone or decline this addiction treatment for several reasons.
Entering alcohol treatment is still wrongly stigmatized as a weakness for a large segment of society. Individuals in positions of authority and possibly well known, in business and politics, very often place public status over their own health, and think they will be okay without treatment. But for every one individual who seems to be “living a party” and still making a living in the news, there are thousands who will lose everything.
Successful alcohol treatment does require a time commitment from patients and their loved ones. The patient needs to attend individual and group sessions to work through life issues that will prevent relapse. Family and friends need to also attend groups to work on themselves as well as to provide support for the patient. The resistance is not so much about attending the sessions, but more about the travel time and coordination of schedules that makes people nervous. When one knows they need treatment, they should get it.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides telemedicine for individuals who have these reasons, and many others, to not seek alcohol treatment. Sessions are conducted by video conference over the browser-based TherapyLiveVisit application, powered by MDLiveCare. Participants in telemedicine only need a computer with a webcam and internet connection. All sessions are secure and confidential, running behind several layers of encryption.
These individuals who need help with alcohol abuse or dependence can now get it before problems mount too high. Eliminating regular trips to an alcohol treatment center solves the stigma and time issues. There is no need to explain sudden regular “nights out” to those who may pry, and all sessions can be conducted at home or work. Travel time is eliminated, along with the hassle of loading the family in a car. Also, distant family members can participate in family sessions, which is a great benefit.
Telemedicine at Tarzana Treatment Centers is not limited to addiction treatment. We also provide online mental health treatment and online medical care. Our goal is to see that those who need treatment can get it.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides a full array of health care services including adult and youth alcohol and drug treatment. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.