If you or someone you know is living with addiction, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. Nearly 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, but less than 10% receive treatment. Even though individuals living with addiction may know their behaviors are bad for them, they'll likely continue to seek out harmful substances, such as alcohol or drugs. The stigma around having an addiction may prevent these individuals from asking for help, even if they really want to quit.
Online addiction counseling programs, however, offer support to those who would feel more comfortable seeking treatment in the comfort of their own home. Here are some of the best online addiction counseling programs.
Four of the Best Online Addiction Counseling Programs
1. TalkSpace
Talkspace is an online and mobile therapy company. You can answer a few questions and get matched with a therapist, or you can choose a provider from the directory. You can see the therapist’s profile, when they joined the program, and how long they’ve been in practice, as well as their communication methods and treatment approach.
TalkSpace is subscription-based and offers plans that range from \$65 to \$100 per week. You can cancel your plan at any time, and you aren’t locked into a contract. TalkSpace counselors must:
- Have an LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or PhD in clinical psychology
- Have an individual professional malpractice liability insurance policy
- Submit a signed and completed Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) application
- Have an individual national provider identifier (NPI) number
- Have a reliable internet connection
- Complete a background check
TalkSpace says it has more than 60,000 5-star reviews, with many reviews citing the ability to be able to talk to a therapist 24/7. The site also claims that 80% of surveyed users say TalkSpace is as effective or more effective than traditional therapy.
2. BetterHelp
BetterHelp is a mental health platform that provides counseling and therapy services, which are offered online or through phone or text communication. Like TalkSpace, BetterHelp lets you look for a therapist in your state. Therapist profiles include their specialties and years of experience, as well as their license information, which patients can use to verify the therapist’s credentials.
Better help ranges from \$60 to \$90 per week, billed every four weeks. Membership can be canceled at any time. BetterHelp verifies therapists by:
- Cross-checking licensure information with state licensing boards
- Providing therapists with a case study exam that is graded by a licensed clinician and evaluated in a video interview
The company says only about 25% of applicants are accepted to the platform through this process.
Common themes in the posted reviews include professionalism, empathy, and effective counseling.
3. Monument
Monument is an online alcohol therapy program that begins at \$14.99 per month. Add-on memberships include specialized therapy, which includes virtual appointments and chat-based messaging, and medication-assisted treatment.
Monument’s physicians and therapists are licensed and background checked, and medical services are provided by Live Life Now Health Group. Therapists’ profiles include a bio with their education and specialties, as well as patient reviews. Reviews for the online program highlight the great listening skills of their providers and their ability to help clients feel heard.
Unlike TalkSpace and BetterHelp, Monument specializes in sobriety and alcohol use disorder (AUD). This can be helpful if this addiction is the only condition someone is struggling with. But 20% of Americans who have an anxiety disorder or depression also have a substance use disorder, so Monument may not be the right fit for these individuals.
4. Online-Therapy
Online-Therapy.com is a web-based therapy program that is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy. Subscription plans start at \$40 per week, which includes unlimited messaging plus a therapy program. A standard plan includes one weekly live session, and a premium plan includes two weekly live sessions.
Therapists are assigned based on the user’s profile, but users can change their therapist from the dashboard. Therapists are usually online eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, and live sessions are 30 minutes long.
Online-Therapy has over 2,000 reviews, with many users citing the ease of use and worksheets as highlights. However, it does not operate in every state, and therapists do not diagnose conditions or prescribe medication.
Comparing Programs
Choosing an online addiction counseling program can be difficult if you don’t know where to start. You should consider factors such as insurance coverage, therapist availability, and therapy style. You might also want to consider the communication style as well, specifically whether you prefer text-based communication or live chats.
Resource Links
- "Addiction Statistics" via Addiction Center
- "Mental Health and Substance Use Co-Occurring Disorders" via U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
