Internet counselling for addiction 

The fight against alcohol and drug addiction is going into cyberspace, even when it comes to counselling.

New Zealanders now have the option of using eGetgoing, an Internet treatment service developed and operated out of the United States.

The Hanmer Clinic, a residential alcohol and substance abuse facility in Canterbury, has been running for three decades but that has not stopped it from embracing the latest breakthrough in treatment technology.

Kim Alexander of the clinic was unconvinced at first.

"I was very sceptical, I didn't think that we could effectively engage with patients with this type of medium, but in actual fact the reverse is true."

The treatment provides an online interactive programme led by a counsellor based in California, and allows up to 10 people to be treated in a group environment, from any where in the world

However, it is not designed to replace any existing therapy options.

"We're creating a new way of delivering that same kind of treatment over a vehicle that makes it accessible to people who would not walk through the door of a traditional treatment programme," says Judi Kosterman of eGetgoing.

And it does have some major benefits over those traditional programmes - people can log on and attend from home or even work.

It is also completely anonymous.

Alexander says the stigma associated with alcoholism and drug dependency is still significant, so anonymity is a critical factor.

Special videos have been made to explore addiction, making the programme thought provoking and interactive.

A lot of time goes into ensuring the counsellors cope well with the Internet medium, but online counselling is not for everyone and there is a strict vetting process for those wishing to use it.

"The intake counsellor assesses their situation, he's looking for risk that might place that person in danger, making sure they're not a threat to themselves," Alexander says.

The treatment will also be made available to New Zealand corporate organisations so they can offer online help to their employees.

The eGetgoing service has been up and running in the US for two years, and is already available in New Zealand for those in need of a cheaper, accessible, anonymous counselling experience.