America is heckled by the challenge of substance use disorder. There has to be a solution to this impending issue; government and the medical communities are doing their bit to find solutions but the sheer magnanimity of the issue demands more attention and efforts in the right direction. The point of worry is that most patients are not receiving help, guidance and treatment.
Substance Use Challenges :
A lot of patients go untreated and often succumb to addiction, causing death. Even when patients are treated, they need continuous care as there is always a possibility of relapse. More than 60% of those patients who received addiction treatments in the United States relapsed within a year as per the 2016 United States Surgeon General’s Report.
There are more than 10 million people who misuse opioids. These figures are based on the study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2018. It is alarming that only about 10% of those who are in need of treatment for Substance Use Disorder received treatments in 2018.
Telehealth an effective solution for substance use disorders:
Patients often need around-the-clock, on-demand support and care coordination. In the absence of these facilities, retaining the treatment plan is difficult and so is avoiding relapse. Once the patient is isolated from care and attention a relapse is quite likely.
Addiction is more a case of isolation. So being connected with family and doctors is what the patient needs. Telehealth gives that opportunity to the patient.
Healthcare providers suggest treatment that integrates addiction control with behavioral and psychiatric care that reaches a wider population and extends personal care. Telehealth plays a major role in this aspect as telehealth and mobile technology help to create a digital profile of the patient.
Benefits of telehealth:
Messaging system allows providers, support groups and family members to reach for timely help and support.
Telehealth lets patients receive the needed treatment from experts without current barriers. Also, they can receive medications and skill to prevent a relapse and connect with others patients too.
Telemedicine and telehealth platforms give patients the comfort and anonymity as they can reach providers and mental health specialists anytime through virtual visits.
Telemental health helps to treat addiction:
Substance abuse challenges are connected to mental health concerns so treatment of substance abuse include mental health care. Telehealth provides a platform to connect patients with the required resources.
Virtual care from mental health specialists like psychiatrists and counselors extend help to patients beyond the setting of a clinic or office. This is especially helpful for patients/communities who have limited access to healthcare. Patients can access treatment for their mental health issues from home, making it a private communication, which is sometimes necessary for the patients who battle with lot of emotional issues.
Remote patient monitoring can help addiction treatment:
Sceptics discuss that telehealth might further isolate patients. Infact, isolation is something that patients fight. This is most likely not to happen as remote patient monitoring and telehealth offer personal attention whenever the patient requires it. The benefit here is when immediate attention is required and when the patient is at risk of slipping into relapse, care and attention is provided.
