Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, LCADC
jwilliams@alcoholdrugsos.com
http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com

[brief summary: Can Online Counseling for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Problems Be Effective? The answer is "Yes, but one must understand the inherent limitations of online couseling." Persons with serious mental health, or medical, conditions must seek traditional face-to-face help.]

The answer to the question in the title of this article is: “Yes, but with the need to understand the limits of online help.”

Persons with serious emotional or psychiatric conditions (such as, but not limited to, eating disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), not stabilized through traditional treatment by a qualified mental health professional are not appropriate for the help offered online and should seek help from such professionals before accessing online services.

Let's define some terms. As used in this article, alcohol or drug addiction means that a person's alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control over use of the substance and/or cannot use without producing adverse consequences in significant life areas. The addicted person has developed a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the face of adverse consequences. Physical dependence on a substance, means that stopping use of the substance will result in withdrawal symptoms. Most persons with addiction (for ex., alcoholism) are NOT physically dependent on their drug and will not experience the full blown physical withdrawal for the substance. They will, however, experience cravings, sleeplessness, and other symptoms caused by their psychological dependence on the drug.

Alcoholism and other drug addictions are devastating disorders which negatively impact affected individuals and all who care about them, physically, emotionally and mentally, and spiritually. Successful treatment of persons with full blown alcohol or other drug addiction may require a comprehensive treatment program, with services provided by professionals face-to-face.

Online addiction treatment can be helpful for persons who are trying to figure out if they or persons close to them, may have a problem. Online counseling can be effective in itself and/or as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes traditional face-to-face counseling and other treatment interventions.