Patients who receive treatment for alcohol use disorder via telehealth are more likely to take their medication than patients who only receive in-person treatment. That’s one of the headlines from a recent study of more than 100,000 patients published recently. (See below for more coverage of this finding.)

While the study is not directly comparable to Oar Health’s population or services, it does reinforce what members tell us they value about telehealth:

Privacy: no awkward waiting room or pharmacy lines
Convenience: the ability to initiate treatment at any time from anywhere
Affordability: often, lower costs than office visits

For those reasons, telehealth is a powerful technology to lower barriers to treatment. And make no mistake: we need to lower the barriers to treatment because less than 10% of people with AUD get any treatment and only 2% are prescribed any medication to help them drink less or quit. 

Oar Health members often tell us that starting medication-assisted treatment via telehealth is a simpler first step than finding a meeting or taking a leave of absence to go to rehab. The recent research suggests that telehealth may also make sticking with treatment easier. For example, home delivery of medication refills may be only a few clicks away.

Of course, treatment via telehealth will not be the right fit for every patient. In-person support groups, therapy sessions, and doctor visits may provide support, accountability and connection that is hard to replicate online. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms are dangerous and must be treated in person.

At Oar Health, we envision a world where every person who wants to drink less or quit is offered the full menu of safe, effective treatment options:
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• Online and in person
• Inclusive of medication, professional behavioral healthcare, and mutual peer support
• Supportive of moderation and sobriety
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We believe every person who wants to drink less or quit has the right to assemble the recovery toolkit that works for them, and we are cheered by growing evidence that telehealth can be an effective tool in that toolkit.

“With the help of Oar, I have remained 8 months alcohol free! I no longer feel the need to drink alcohol or desire it when others are drinking. Early on, I had two drinks and the naltrexone did its job and was able to reduce any positive effects.

This made me even more committed to my journey and I’m glad I kept up with my regimen. Now I turn to healthier alternatives such as exercise, going out with friends for mocktails, or spendings a quiet evening at home. It is freeing to be free from alcohol and on this journey!”

‍— S, Oar Member

Moderation Management is a non-judgemental, compassionate peer support community for anyone who wants to change their relationship with alcohol.

MM hosts free meetings, online communities, courses, and tools. They even have meetings just for newcomers.

We love MM (and are proud to be an advocate partner to them) because its members are free to find their own path to a more balanced lifestyle. MM offers evidence-based support but does not dictate behavior.

Telehealth May Help People Stick with Alcoholism Treatment | U.S. News & World Report
“Telehealth might be a more effective way of treating alcoholism than in-person therapy sessions, a new study reports. Alcoholics who receive treatment through telehealth were more likely to engage in more therapy visits and stick to anti-alcohol medication longer than those who venture out for alcohol use disorder therapy, researchers found.”

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder Could Improve Outcomes for Patients Hospitalized for Alcohol-Related Reasons | UPMC
‍“Physicians can play a huge role in preventing, detecting, and treating excessive alcohol use, but we are not doing nearly enough. A 2021 study found that of people who met the criteria for AUD, 80% had seen a doctor in the past year, but only 12% had been advised to cut down on their drinking, and just 5% were offered treatment information. Although individual medical schools and teaching hospitals have made progress, we need better AUD training. Why aren’t current and future physicians equipped to treat AUD with the same facility as other chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma?”

Why Are Older Americans Drinking So Much? | The New York Times
“The pandemic played a role in increased consumption, but alcohol use among people 65 and older was climbing even before 2020. … Treatments for excessive alcohol use, including psychotherapy and medications, are no less effective for older patients.”