Comparing Talkspace & BetterHelp For Alcohol Addiction
Naheed Ali, MD, PhD, ScD
Published: Jun 02, 2025
Last updated: Jun 02, 2025
In This Article
- Compare BetterHelp vs. Talkspace Features & Services
- Cost Comparison: Subscription Costs vs. Specialized Addiction Platforms
- Therapist Expertise & Treatment Methods: Which Platform Is Better?
- User Reviews & Ratings: What Real Users Say About Talkspace & BetterHelp
- Positive Feedback:
- Areas For Improvement:
- Boosting Therapy With Medication: Oar Health’s Role
- Alternatives & Next Steps
- Talkspace vs. BetterHelp FAQs For Alcoholism
- Conclusion
- References
Online therapy has rapidly become a lifeline for people navigating personal challenges, including alcoholism. Two giants in the digital mental health space, Talkspace and BetterHelp, offer services that aim to make therapy accessible, confidential, and effective. For individuals seeking help with alcohol addiction, it’s important to explore how each platform supports recovery.
This in-depth comparison will not only break down Talkspace vs. BetterHelp in terms of features, pricing, therapist expertise, and user feedback but also explore how combining therapy with medication support through Oar Health can lead to better outcomes for individuals recovering from alcohol dependency.
Compare BetterHelp vs. Talkspace Features & Services
Talkspace: Psychiatry + Therapy, Medication Management
Talkspace may be better suited for individuals who want therapy along with access to psychiatric services and prescription medication management. It offers the option to engage in ongoing treatment while also consulting licensed psychiatrists for mental health evaluations and prescriptions when needed.
Key Features:
- Licensed therapists and psychiatrists
- Offers individual, couples, and teen therapy
- Message your therapist anytime
- Psychiatry services with prescription options
BetterHelp: Counseling-Only Focus, Broader Therapist Network
BetterHelp offers a large network of licensed counselors and psychologists. While it focuses on therapy and does not offer psychiatry or medication management, it is widely recognized for its robust therapist-matching process, according to user reviews.
Key Features:
- Massive therapist pool to ensure fast matching
- Offers therapy for individuals, couples, teens, and LGBTQ+ communities
- Reach out to your therapist anytime
- 100% online, easy scheduling, and therapist switching
Cost Comparison: Subscription Costs vs. Specialized Addiction Platforms
When evaluating Talkspace vs. BetterHelp cost, both platforms offer flexible subscription models.
Talkspace
- Price Range (Weekly):
- Insurance Accepted:
- Addiction-Specific Support:
- Additional Notes:
BetterHelp
- Price Range (Weekly):
- Insurance Accepted:
- Addiction-Specific Support:
- Additional Notes:
Therapist Expertise & Treatment Methods: Which Platform Is Better?
Therapist Matching And Specialties
- Talkspace allows users to choose from therapists specializing in
- BetterHelp uses a comprehensive onboarding process to match clients with therapists, and they do offer access to specialized addiction counselors, though availability may vary
Treatment Methodologies
Both platforms provide access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing techniques. Talkspace’s inclusion of psychiatric care and medication management may make it a more comprehensive option for those seeking both therapy and medical treatment.
User Reviews & Ratings: What Real Users Say About Talkspace & BetterHelp
Understanding user experiences can provide valuable insights when choosing between online therapy platforms. Below is a comparison of BetterHelp and Talkspace, highlighting their ratings and user feedback from trusted sources.
Note: The following feedback is based on user-reported experiences from a public review platform and should not be interpreted as verified clinical outcomes or medical advice.
Talkspace: Comprehensive Services & Flexibility
- Trustpilot Rating
Positive Feedback:
- Comprehensive Care
- Insurance Acceptance
- Flexible Communication
Areas for Improvement:
- Technical Glitches
- Insurance Billing Transparency
Betterhelp: High Ratings For Accessibility & Affordability
- Trustpilot Rating
Positive Feedback:
- Ease of Use
- Therapist Matching
- Affordability
Areas For Improvement:
- Lack of Psychiatric Services
- Therapist Availability
Boosting Therapy With Medication: Oar Health’s Role
Why Combine Therapy And Medication?
Research shows that combining behavioral therapy with medication can improve recovery outcomes by over 50%. For alcohol addiction, this dual approach helps address both the psychological and physiological aspects of dependency.
How Oar Health Works?
Oar Health is a digital platform that supports alcohol use disorder (AUD) recovery through medical evaluation, FDA-approved medication, and access to behavioral tools and support groups.
Key Benefits:
- Confidential intake and prescribing process
- Ongoing support from licensed providers
- Access to Oar Health’s support groups and tools
Using Oar Health With Talkspace Or BetterHelp
For individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder, pairing either platform with Oar Health can significantly enhance treatment outcomes. Oar Health’s services can be used in parallel with behavioral therapy platforms to support holistic recovery. This therapy + medication combination has been shown to reduce relapse rates and speed up recovery.
Ultimately, choosing BetterHelp or Talkspace and integrating Oar Health can empower you with a personalized, evidence-based path to long-term sobriety.
Cost Comparison
Oar Health:
- Subscription cost: Plans start at $99 per month
- Medication prices: $25–$175 for a 30-day supply of 50-mg oral naltrexone, depending on the pharmacy, coupons, dosage, and frequency
- Includes free delivery
Traditional Pharmacies (costs vary depending on location, dosage, and pharmacy):
- Generic drugs: Typically $91.59 per month (depending on the location and pharmacy)
- Delivery (if available) generally costs $5–$15 per delivery
Alternatives & Next Steps
While BetterHelp and Talkspace are top choices, you can also explore Doctor on Demand for a more integrated medical and therapy model or Regain if you’re seeking couples-focused addiction support.
Talkspace vs. BetterHelp FAQs For Alcoholism
Do Talkspace Or BetterHelp Therapists Specialize In Addiction?
Talkspace includes licensed addiction counselors and offers filters to help users find therapists specializing in substance use.
Is Online Therapy As Effective As In-Person Rehab For Alcoholism?
For mild to moderate cases, online therapy is highly effective, especially when paired with medication.
Does BetterHelp Or Talkspace Take Insurance?
Only Talkspace accepts insurance.
Can I Get Prescribed Medication Through BetterHelp Or Talkspace?
Only Talkspace offers psychiatric evaluations and prescriptions.
How Does Oar Health Work With BetterHelp Or Talkspace?
Oar Health complements therapy by providing prescription medication for alcohol recovery.
Is Talkspace Or BetterHelp More Affordable For Alcoholism Therapy?
BetterHelp is typically more affordable, while Talkspace offers additional services like insurance billing and psychiatric care, which may reduce out-of-pocket costs for some users.
Does Insurance Cover Talkspace Or BetterHelp For Addiction Treatment?
Insurance may cover Talkspace; BetterHelp does not accept insurance.
Conclusion
Both BetterHelp and Talkspace offer quality online therapy, each catering to different needs. BetterHelp is more affordable and user-friendly, ideal for accessible talk therapy. Talkspace offers psychiatric care, making it a suitable option for those who may require medication support alongside therapy.
When used alongside therapy, FDA-approved medications and medical support from Oar Health may support a more comprehensive recovery experience.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with a licensed provider. This article is not affiliated with or endorsed by Talkspace or BetterHelp. Pricing and service availability may change.
References
Psychiatry | BetterHelp. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychiatry/
About The Author
Naheed Ali, MD, PhD, ScD, is a physician by education and a writer by choice. He earned an MD degree in 2008 and later completed Harvard Medical School’s lifestyle medicine training in 2012, before obtaining a PhD in holistic health and an ScD in sports nutrition. He’s certified in clinical research by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and in digital media by Yale University. For years, Dr. Ali taught at colleges in the US where he lectured on various biomedical topics and delivered over 2000 hours of live presentations. He is also the author of numerous books from major New York publishers. They can be found on the shelves of 1000s of libraries worldwide. He brings more than 15 years of experience writing remotely and has decades of health-related publications to his credit. Now a digital nomad, he’s currently a medical journalist and copywriter for hire. His online home is HealthcarePropulsion.com.
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- ¹ Oar Health membership plans include access to the Oar Health platform, virtual consultations with a healthcare professional, and medication if prescribed by a healthcare provider. 3 month membership plan costs $297, equating to $99/mo.
- ² Self-reported by members after 6 months of Oar Health membership.
- ³ Verywell Health survey of Oar Health members, published March, 2023.
- ⁴ Prescription medication is available only if prescribed by a licensed clinician.
Naltrexone is a prescription medication used to treat alcohol dependence. It is available only if prescribed by a healthcare provider. You should not take naltrexone if you use opioids, including prescription drugs or street drugs that contain opioids, as naltrexone can cause sudden opioid withdrawal. Common side effects of naltrexone include nausea, sleepiness, headache, dizziness, vomiting, decreased appetite, painful joints, muscle cramps, and trouble sleeping. These are not all of the side effects of naltrexone. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
