The use of opioids to treat pain dates back to the Civil War when morphine was first used as an anesthetic. Countless soldiers quickly became addicted. Bayer introduced heroin in 1898, and the medical community adopted it as a less-addictive alternative to morphine. It quickly became clear this was untrue, and by 1924 the federal government had banned the production and sale of heroin.
The modern opioid epidemic began in 1995 when Perdue Pharma aggressively marketed Oxycontin as a non-addictive alternative to other opioid painkillers. More than a quarter of a century later, the nation remains in the grips of this devastating epidemic. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 128 Americans die daily from opioid overdose. MD M.A.T.T. is committed to helping end opioid addiction. Our addiction treatment programs in Maryland and Washington, D.C., provide effective, affordable opioid addiction treatment. Contact us at 410.364.8194 to learn how we can help you or your loved one.
What Are Telehealth Rehab Services?
While the opioid epidemic continues to wreak havoc on the nation, statistics indicate that the rates of individuals receiving opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment have steadily increased in the past few years. Many experts attribute this increase to reduced restrictions on buprenorphine prescribing practices and the increased use of telehealth rehab services during COVID-19.
While telemedicine and telehealth treatment services are not new, they have been widely under-utilized for decades. Telehealth refers to the use of two-way telecommunication technology to provide clinical care. MD M.A.T.T. provides telehealth rehab services seven days a week through various advanced technologies, including:
- Video conferences
- Smartphone applications
- Web-based treatment tools
- Email communications
- Telephone-based services
- Text messaging
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including buprenorphine, is highly effective in treating opioid use disorder. Still, it is heavily regulated, which limits accessibility, particularly in rural areas where rates of OUD tend to be higher. Rural communities also generally have fewer primary care physicians, mental health providers, and addiction treatment programs. Telehealth rehab services help fill this void by connecting patients to services outside their community.
The Benefits of a Telehealth Treatment Program
The most significant benefit of a telehealth treatment program is the potential to increase access to comprehensive medication-assisted treatment and therapy, particularly in underserved areas. Telehealth treatment programs help remove significant barriers to treatment, including geography, cost, stigma, and transportation. In addition to the scarcity of programs in rural areas, many people with OUD cannot afford inpatient treatment, do not have insurance, or cannot take time off work.
Along with increased access to care, notable benefits of a telehealth treatment program include the following:
- Reduced levels of anxiety and depression
- Increased patient satisfaction
- Reduced illicit opioid use
- Fewer hospitalizations
- Decreased overdose and mortality rates
- Lower risk for chronic relapse
- Higher rates of treatment compliance
Telehealth treatment programs allow providers to stay connected with patients for more extended periods and allow patients to access providers quickly in times of crisis. These services place less burden on treatment centers and give patients to option to receive effective treatment from the comfort of their own homes.
Contact MD M.A.T.T. for Online Addiction Treatment
If you struggle with opioid use disorder, you are not alone. OUD affects over two million Americans from all walks of life. For many, the stigma associated with OUD and a lack of access to treatment programs are significant barriers to seeking treatment. Telehealth rehab services offer a solution.
Through online addiction treatment at MD M.A.T.T., you or your loved one can finally receive comprehensive, evidence-based treatment to break free from opioid addiction. Each of our locations in Maryland and Washington D.C. is staffed with a dedicated team of professionals, including doctors, counselors, and psychiatrists.
Our team understands that opioid addiction is not a choice. We take the time to get to know you and develop a treatment plan customized to your needs. We utilize a combination of Suboxone-focused medication-assisted treatment to manage pain, prevent withdrawal, and control cravings, and therapy to uncover and address the root causes of OUD. Contact our team today at 410.364.8194 or reach out online to learn more.
