Recent trends suggest that considerable change has occurred in the use of telehealth for addiction treatment. Almost instantly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Indian health workers resorted and embraced telehealth in the management of their patients. According to a recent survey by the Indian Psychiatric Society, 70% of the psychiatrists provided consultations using telemedicine which illustrates the growing awareness of the need to turn to treatment that is entirely different and simple. Therapy for addiction at a distance allows the person a possibility to begin an active therapy without stepping out of the house and the need to fear about the society or other practical matters.

One of the aspects that makes remote therapy for addiction so appealing is its inclusivity. Quality service is now offered to people living in remote areas and those with mobility challenges, without let or hindrance of distance. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare states that around 68% of the Indian population lives in rural areas which in most cases do not have addiction treatment centres.  For those who might have previously been considered, the treatment mode in which they are in has become worrying and unwelcoming, telehealth has come in handy. 

Customizability is yet another important merit of counselling and therapy for addiction performed from a distance. Most telehealth programs are designed so that counsellors can modify therapy according to the requirements of an individual client. That is to say, therapists are able to use different therapies like motivational interviewing alongside mindfulness based approaches, as the situations require.
 
In addition, in the case of remote addiction counselling, it can be noted that the right atmosphere is created in the supportive community. Most of the telehealth services also offer group therapy, which is one of the steps in the recovery process. Group therapy allows people who are going through the same thing to help one another without feeling lonely. Most of the time, people experience relief in giving and receiving support in a pump-sharing situation, wherein they take turns at the centre, talking about their problems to each other.

However, it must be noted that learning aids available for counselling’s disadvantage lends itself to certain challenges. Such issues as technology illiteracy, Internet of things access, and seclusion issues could deter effective remote services. A survey carried out by Statista revealed that about 55% of the Indian population are internet users implying that a majority of the citizens do not have internet connectivity. Others can be technologically aversive, therefore designing systems they can use becomes a challenge. Furthermore, many individuals live in areas where reliable sources of the internet are not available and such people will restrain treatment from the internet.

Therapy is where individuals go to talk about hard things with sincerity and therefore it goes without saying that privacy and secrecy should be maintained for all clients. According to an article in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, the authors, who are specialists in mental health, acknowledged the challenges posed by the digital era in upholding patient privacy. Many of them felt that patients could only be assured of confidentiality in treatment when the treatment platforms were secure. To assist in solving these problems, it is essential that addiction counselling services put education and support for the clients and therapists as their focus. With the implementation of such training programs, clients will also adapt to using these telehealth technologies with much ease, while refresher training for therapists will improve their performance in providing care for patients via the internet.

When it comes to addiction, a sense of ambivalence cannot be ignored; for some reasons, many people remain attached to this issue, and therefore it is difficult to renounce it. It could also be genetic; for other people, they are easily addicted because more so from their parents, they have some characteristics. This is more so for the dopamine system, found in the brain and associated with cravings and addictions. A number of other warriors for instance depend on drugs or alcohol from anxiety disorders, depression or post traumatic stress which to most of them aggravated their condition.

There are social problems too such as community drug use, drugs peer pressure, and poverty. More often than not, people who are addicted end up surrounded by unhelpful relationships which Continue substance abuse. Additionally, cognitive dissonance is a problem since people will use their knowledge that a drug is harmful, and their need to use, quite successfully. 

With regards to the physical element of addiction, withdrawal symptoms make relapsing and re-engagement with substances for relief very possible. Treatment is important, but individuals may not receive it due to its cost, social stigma, or lack of knowledge about the available services. The attitudes towards drug use tend to prevent assistance from being sought especially when peer groups endorse drug use. Finally, the process of recovery is almost never straightforward; factors such as stress and depression, or cues that are associated with high-risk situations, may lead to a relapse which worsens the entire process of recovering from the addiction.

Therapy and addiction frequently devolve into somewhat contradictory cycles that, paradoxically, can greatly accelerate the process of recovery. Fundamental therapy helps one to fight one’s addiction but also helps one to fight the problems that led to the addiction. They can enhance understanding and control of one’s feelings and behaviours through the use of such therapeutic techniques as EMDR and IFS therapy, which, in turn, enhances their strength. As a result, as they begin to control the triggers and replace them with appropriate ones, the cravings and addictive actions tend to go down. Many psychologists are working on minimising the effects on addictions on individuals in India, one such being Aanchal Narang from Mumbai.

This favourable change augments their desire to persist in therapy thereby setting a positive cycle of rehabilitation and growth. In addition, the therapeutic aspect is also very important for the process; as people tell various stories, they often get supportive feedback from therapists or good friends. Such inclusiveness could be very helpful, as it reduces the shame and loneliness which often are prevalent in addiction. As a result, therapy combined with addiction treatment not only inspires clients in facing their adversities but paves a way for their ongoing growth and recovery.

To sum up, addiction therapy is revolutionising the process of overcoming substance abuse and making it easy, individualised and supportive. Thanks to technological innovations, people can now receive a higher level of service, designed for their individual needs, regardless of their place. This change in treatment for addiction problems is by no means a stopgap; it’s a better way of doing things in this age of recovery. Looking ahead, I believe that the continuing support of the introduction of remote counselling services will be important as the new strategy progresses so that all people in recovery will be able to avail of the therapy they need.