At Gateway Rehab, Telehealth Is a New Option for Treatment

By Nancy Kennedy

Telehealth, also known as electronic or virtual healthcare, is a relatively recent trend that has changed the delivery of care in many healthcare settings, primarily by increasing access to services. In the specialty of alcohol and drug addiction treatment, telehealth is an option with numerous advantages, and it is being utilized creatively and effectively at Gateway Rehab, the region’s highly regarded facility for substance use disorder treatment, prevention and education.

At Gateway, telehealth is one of many options available for outpatient treatment. “Through telehealth, the highest quality outpatient care from our experienced team of masters-prepared therapists is easily accessible,” says Nancy Casciato, M.S., Lead Therapist at Gateway Rehab’s Greensburg office. “Telehealth means that you can have a face-to-face visit, individually or in a group, in the comfort and privacy of your home, without having to travel or deal with the common stressors of in-person appointments.”

Telehealth uses the common tools of technology to give people the ability to communicate electronically with health care providers for a “virtual” visit, Casciato explains. “Participation in telehealth requires a smart phone or a computer with a camera and microphone, plus Internet access. Using two-way, audio- video conferencing platforms like ZOOM, telehealth outpatient care is convenient, safe, and efficient. Although telehealth was launched about ten years ago, the COVID pandemic created a tremendous demand for it.”

“We began using telehealth at Gateway when the pandemic began. COVID made it difficult to connect with people, and telehealth was a new option in addiction treatment that provided a promising solution. COVID has changed the face of treatment: pre-COVID, we knew the usual barriers to treatment such as lack of child care and transportation. COVID revealed the existence of barriers that we were less aware of. This includes the “sandwiched” caregivers, busy caring for older adults as well as children; the distances that left rural clients underserved; difficulties with access for people with disabilities, despite us being wheelchair accessible; and the problem of social anxiety, which was made worse by the isolation. For these people, the barriers and distances were insurmountable.

“Many people who needed treatment were not getting it because they thought their only option was to come in person. Thanks to telehealth, they are now able to access the care they need. More people are seeking help with opioid addiction and alcoholism. I had a client who had late-stage alcoholism, but did not get treatment because she was disabled and could not travel. Without telehealth, she would never have received treatment. She recently celebrated two years of recovery.”

There are, Casciato says, few disadvantages to telehealth but ones to prepare for include a therapist’s limited ability to view body language, a lack of access to required technology, or distractions in the home or setting of the session. At Gateway Rehab however the team is prepared to assist, support and respond.

For clinicians like Casciato and her staff, telehealth requires a different skill set from in-person treatment. “We can see more clients thanks to telehealth, but it’s more challenging to build group cohesion electronically. Connection is an important part of drug and alcohol treatment.” Casciato finds that despite the challenges, treating substance use disorders through telehealth is personally satisfying. “Clients are grateful to have this new option, and it’s bringing in many more people. Telehealth is now an option for groups or individual counseling. We urge people to reach out and contact us to learn more about our services and schedule an evaluation. This can be done in person or electronically. The evaluation determines the level of care and type of treatment that is best. This is very individualized to meet each client’s unique needs.

“Gateway Rehab offers day and evening group options as well as individual services, including one-on-one telehealth sessions on Saturdays. We work with each client to fit treatment into their schedule, and get them into recovery as fast as possible. Gateway Rehab also provides telehealth family programming for the patient’s loved ones and support systems.”

Gateway Rehab has been rooted in Pittsburgh since 1972 and provides a full continuum of care across Western Pennsylvania. Gateway practices whole-person care, treating body, mind and spirit. Recovery is possible.

For more information or to schedule an evaluation, visit .gatewayrehab.org or call 800-472-1177.

Gateway Rehab’s web site includes a telehealth appointment request form that can be completed and submitted 24/7. Visit gatewayrehab.org/appointment_request. Live chat representatives are also available online to connect a visitor with the clinical assessment team.