The road to recovery is paved differently for every person who chooses to walk down the path. It can get rocky, most of it’s an uphill battle, and it may take a while before you see the light at the end of the road. But that doesn’t mean you need to walk it alone — or now, even walk outside the door.

Online alcohol treatment is now not just a "thing" that exists — it's a real, viable option for anyone looking for help. In this article, we’re going to answer all of your possible questions about getting help for alcohol addiction on the internet or on your smartphone, explain the benefits to online alcohol addiction treatment, and share with you the best providers.

Note: If you’re in a critical situation and need immediate treatment, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) hotline at 1-800-622-4357. This treatment referral routing service is confidential, free, and provides help year-round [1]. 

Common Questions About Online Alcohol Treatment

Can I really get treatment online for my alcohol addiction?

There’s more to getting treatment for an addiction than the actual “getting treatment” part. You have to be in the right headspace. You have to want it. And up until recently, you had to pay a hefty amount of money for rehabilitation centers, therapists, doctors, and possibly even medical treatment. That’s no longer the case. 

Think of online alcohol addiction treatment like an outpatient program. Depending on the provider you choose and the program you want, you can seek treatment from an app on your mobile device or from your web browser. Help is only as far as your phone or computer, and later in this article we’ll show you the top options when it comes to online alcohol addiction treatment. 

How is online alcohol treatment different from in-person?

Finding the right kind of therapy for your addiction isn’t always as simple as walking into your local church after hours for an impromptu Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Sometimes the need for change happens in the middle of the work day or on the way to school or even coming back from the bar. A major benefit to online treatment is there is round-the-clock help waiting for you. Places like Tempest offer 35 online meetings per week, all conducted at different times of the day. There’s also Life Process Program, which provides expert medical help 24/7.

Is online alcohol treatment better in any way than in-person?

When you choose to do online alcohol treatment, you don’t have to leave your house. There’s no need for expensive live-in rehabilitation facilities or in-person AA meetings, finding a sponsor, chatting with people who you aren’t ready to chat with, or anything else associated with in-person treatment. Go at your own pace when you join an online alcohol addiction treatment program. You can personalize your goals to meet the needs that fit your lifestyle and make sobriety work right for you. 

Is online alcohol treatment covered by insurance?

Some online alcohol treatment providers are, in fact, covered by insurance — although most online alcohol treatments don’t require proof of insurance, and it's not required. In fact, many online programs are either free or manageable (think in the $40/month range). Before joining one of the more expensive treatment programs like Ria Health or iRecovery USA, you can check if they take your insurance for a lower price per month.

Can I do online AA meetings?

If you’re not ready to join an online alcoholic treatment program, but want to get a feel of the sober lifestyle, visit the Alcoholics Anonymous online portal. There are a variety of AA meetings accessible online. If you’re worried about virtually running into anyone you know (even if you’re in the comfort of your own home), find an AA meeting that takes place in Argentina, or France, or even Canada. Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem [2]. It’s nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. Membership is free and open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.

Can an online alcohol treatment provider prescribe medicine?

Depending on the online program you pick and the treatment you seek, a physician working with an online alcohol addiction center can prescribe you medication. Sites like LifeBac provide online provider visits that will tailor a plan to your needs, and you can have prescription craving-fighting medication delivered discreetly to your door. 

What is the Sinclair Method for alcohol addiction treatment?

The Sinclair Method, a method from Finland that gained FDA approval in the U.S. in 1994, can help you reduce the amount you’re drinking without forcing you to quit cold turkey by using a special anti-craving medication called Naltrexone to change the effects of alcohol on your body. 

When you take Naltrexone prior to drinking, it blocks endorphins from being released when alcohol is consumed [3]. And when the endorphins are blocked, there is no “buzz” or rewarding experience, and the alcohol doesn’t make you feel the pleasure that drives you to drink excessively. Over time, your brain learns not to associate alcohol with pleasure, resulting in reduced cravings and improved control over alcohol use. Naltrexone must be taken at least one hour before your first drink. Online treatment programs like LifeBac or Ria Health have medical teams on staff who are able to prescribe Naltrexone.

5 Recommended Online Alcohol Addiction Treatment Providers

Monument

Monument, $249/week

Monument is an alcohol addiction treatment complete with therapy, support groups, and anonymous forums. Their plans include medication to combat cravings, or specialized alcohol therapy to help you build healthier habits. Monument uses therapy, medication, and an online community to lessen your desire to drink once you start the program.

Monument provides unlimited chats with your physician, the option for medical treatment, four therapy appointments per month, and 24/7 access to an online community of other Monument members.

Tempest

Tempest, $41/mo + a one-time fee of $299

Finding treatment for an alcohol addiction that fits your lifestyle can be challenging. Tempest members get access to live support group calls, community support from fellow Tempest users 24/7, daily affirmations sent to your inbox every day, and workshops and lessons on relevant subjects like managing anxiety, setting boundaries and navigating holidays. Learn about addiction recovery as you go through it with the help of your Tempest recovery coach.

Your monthly membership includes four private sessions with this coach, who will help you identify your goals and talk through challenges. These coaches don’t provide daily support. Your coach will be available during your weekly sessions, and doesn’t offer text or email support.

Ria Health

Ria Health, $300/mo

Ria Health aims to make alcohol treatment easier and more accessible. By incorporating telemedicine, medications for alcoholism, recovery coaching, and medical counseling, Ria Health’s expert medical team will help you change your relationship with alcohol.

Download their mobile app for access to 24/7 consultation. If you’re in need, a medical expert or Ria coach will be available to talk whenever you need them. You can also make appointments with your medical and coaching team whenever it’s convenient for you. Ria is one of the more expensive options, but you can offset the cost with health insurance.

Life Process Program

Life Process Program, $89/mo

The Life Process Program incorporates eight instructional units containing detailed reading material specific to your addiction. The eight modules (self reflection, values, motivation, rewards, resources, support, maturity, and greater goals) are all created to address the key components in your recovery.

In addition to tackling these eight modules, you’ll be paired with a dedicated coach that provides one-on-one support, and peer support from others in the program. Life Process Program also offers support for those with drug, sex, food, porn, gambling, and social media addictions.

LifeBac

LifeBac, $249/mo

You are in control of your recovery. LifeBac knows this. Their treatment program focuses on setting goals and monitoring moods. Rather than asking you to quit cold turkey, LifeBac allows you to set and achieve your goals at your own pace, with the help of online provider visits and craving-fighting medication.

That’s because the creators of LifeBac believe that drinking is a symptom of a larger issue. Drinking helps take the edge off, but leaves unresolved issues behind. LifeBac medical experts are passionate about helping you tackle those unresolved issues, while also gently nudging you away from binge drinking.