Virtual A.A. Sessions Likely to Outlast the Pandemic

Virtual sessions of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), which have become common during the pandemic, are likely to become a permanent part of recovery, according to participants and addiction treatment providers.

“There are so many positives — people don’t need to travel. It saves time,” said Dr. Andrew Saxon, an addiction expert and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “The potential for people who wouldn’t have access to treatment easily to get it is a big bonus.”

While there is still no data comparing the effectiveness of online rehab to in-person sessions, some recent research validating the use of online therapy for PTSD and depression suggests hope for online addiction treatment, several experts told The New York Times.