Telehealth Addiction Treatment As Effective As In-Person Treatment In Terms Of Consumer Retention & Therapeutic Alliance

Overall, telehealth treatment for addiction is as effective as in-person treatment in terms of consumer retention and the measure of the therapist’s and consumer’s mutual engagement in the work of therapy (termed “therapeutic alliance”). In an analysis of eight studies that compared addiction treatment via telehealth with in-person treatment, seven found telehealth treatment as effective, although not more effective, than in-person treatment in terms of retention, therapeutic alliance, and substance use. One Canadian study found that telehealth facilitated methadone prescribing and improved consumer retention in methadone treatment.

Based on survey results of addiction treatment organizations . . .