The state of Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of opioid prescribing in the U.S., a number that has remained steady over the last few years.
In 2013, a plan was put in place by the state with the goal of reducing unintentional opioid overdose deaths by 15% over a 5-year period. It included plans to increase the availability of treatment in the state, increase funding of and expand community-based opioid treatment services, and provide ongoing support of naloxone programs within the community.
Statistics show that improvements have been made since its launch, with opioid overdose death rates decreasing by 9% from 2013-2014There is still work to be done, however, as both prescription and illicit drugs take many lives each year.
The Sooner State is known for having some of the toughest drug laws in the country. Nearly 17,000 people are arrested for drug offenses every year in Oklahoma, including the possession, sale and manufacturing of any type of illegal drug.
Oklahoma categorizes illegal substances into separate schedules – schedules I, II, III, IV and V. Schedules I and II include drugs with the highest potential for abuse and little to no accepted medical use. In contrast, substances in schedules III through V include drugs with less risk for dependency and greater use in a medical setting.
While there's a vast number of substances classified in each schedule, below are a few examples of the most common drugs for each:
Drug Schedule | Number of offenses | Maximum jail/prison time | Maximum fine |
---|---|---|---|
Possession | |||
Schedules I and II | First offense | 5 years | $5,000 |
Subsequent offense | 20 years | $10,000 | |
Schedules III, IV and V | First offense | 1 year | $1,000 |
Subsequent offense | 10 years | $5,000 | |
Sale | |||
Specific schedule I and II drugs | First and subsequent offenses | Life (5 years minimum) | $100,000 |
Other schedule I, II, III and IV drugs | First and subsequent offenses | Life (2 years minimum) | $20,000 |
Schedule V | First and subsequent offenses | 5 years | $1,000 |
Marijuana is strictly illegal in Oklahoma. Because it's classified as a schedule I drug under Oklahoma law, the penalties can be just as harsh as other schedule I offenses. Regardless of how much you're caught with, marijuana possession can send you to jail for a full year upon your first offense.
In April 2016, the governor of Oklahoma signed HB 2479, which cut the sentences for a second marijuana possession offense in half. The previous penalty for a second offense was a 10-year prison sentence. Effective November 2016, all maximum sentences will be reduced to five years.
Medical marijuana legislation is very limited in Oklahoma. Only cannabidiol (CBD), a low-THC oil derived from the cannabis plant, is allowed for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy. The oil may not contain any more than three-tenths of one percent of THC.
Drug addiction of all types is a rising concern in Oklahoma. In line with the rest of the nation, Oklahoma is bracing against our country's opioid epidemic.
The following substances are frequently abused in Oklahoma:
Abuse of these substances can lead to addiction. Many of these drugs put a person at risk of overdose and death.
The Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse released its final report in January of 2018. Chaired by Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, the report outlined substance abuse in the state, particularly opioid abuse.
The report found that:
Meth is the number one cause of drug-related deaths in Oklahoma. Oxycodone (OxyContin) is second.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked Jefferson and Cimarron counties in the top five percent for a high risk of HIV and hepatitis C outbreaks. Injection drug use can spread these potentially life-threatening diseases. Despite this, as of 2018 Oklahoma did not have any needle exchange programs.
Further, the Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse's report cautioned that “In the last three years, more than 1,300 newborns tested positive for substance exposure and went into withdrawal the moment they were born.” For people who abuse opioids, this risk includes neonatal abstinence syndrome.
In the fall of 2017, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services announced that they were cutting back outpatient mental health and substance abuse programs. This eliminated or reduced these forms of treatment for 189,000 Oklahoma residents. This includes treatment of opioid use disorders.
This report recommended eight legislative changes to fight the opioid epidemic. It suggests that the state adopt a Good Samaritan Law. This law would protect individuals who report an overdose.
This campaign outlines safe disposal and storage methods to help reduce prescription drug misuse and diversion. Information on overdose prevention and naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, is also available.
In 2013, the state passed legislation that allowed naloxone to be dispensed to trained family members, friends and first responders, enabling them to administer this life-saving overdose reversal medication when they witness an overdose.
There are many rehab options for you in Oklahoma, with more than 100 different facilities to choose from.Here are some things you should ask before making a final decision:
You can take the stress out of sorting through all the Oklahoma rehabs by calling us and speaking to an addiction support advisor today. A confidential, free call to a member of our support team can provide you with treatment information so that you may better choose the right program for you.
Addiction treatment facilities are often overseen by various organizations to ensure quality treatment. During the search for a rehab program in Oklahoma, it's helpful to understand a few aspects of quality addiction treatment, including:
When a person is seeking drug and alcohol treatment, it's important to become familiar with some basic programs essential for quality care. Here are a few commonly used programs and services:
Choosing an individualized Oklahoma addiction treatment program can give a person the personalized therapy they need to build a life free from drug or alcohol abuse.
From intervention to aftercare services and every treatment in between, Oklahoma addiction treatment can be adapted to fit each person's recovery needs and goals.
Denial can make it difficult for some people to see that they need treatment. In these cases, an intervention can help the person and their family understand the need for professional addiction treatment.
A professional Oklahoma interventionist can help to plan and oversee the intervention. Some will also accompany the person to the treatment center.
Medical detox provides 24-hour medical care while a person's body stabilizes and adjusts to sobriety. This compassionate support helps to protect a person from relapse and prepares them for the next stage of treatment.
Medications are administered as needed during drug and alcohol detox to reduce or prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioid drugs is commonly treated this way.
High-quality Oklahoma inpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs provide a therapeutic community where a person can begin building a fulfilling, sober life.
One of the greatest benefits of inpatient addiction treatment in the residential setting. Living on campus provides day-to-day inspiration, structure, and accountability. This community-minded treatment can make it easier for a person to commit wholeheartedly to their recovery. A residential setting reduces exposure to triggers that commonly cause a relapse.
Healing from addiction takes time. In addition to the physical effects of chronic drug abuse, addiction can deeply change a person's emotional and mental health. As a person's physical and psychological states become unstable, their life and relationships can be severely damaged. Inpatient drug rehab programs generally commit more time to these and other important issues.
Inpatient drug rehab centers use an individualized approach to promote healing and personal growth. Certain programs offer specialized treatments for teens, parents or married couples, while others teach career-enhancing sober-living skills.
While some people achieve sobriety in an outpatient program, this level of care is generally more beneficial when used as a step-down service after completing an inpatient program.
In this role, traditional outpatient and intensive outpatient programs guide a person as they transition from the structured environment of a residential treatment setting to independent sober living.
The goal of Oklahoma aftercare and alumni services is to help a person remain focused on sober-living principles after they leave treatment.
In Oklahoma, aftercare options may include:
These programs and resources can also support a person as they pursue personal, family, career and educational goals, all elements of a stable recovery and fulfilling life.
Many people have specific needs that can be addressed in a specialized Oklahoma addiction treatment program. Some drug rehab centers also offer programs for executives or professionals, as well as holistic, LGBTQIA-friendly, luxury, religious, 12-step or non-12-step treatment programs.
Medication-assisted treatment combines medications, or pharmacotherapies, with behavioral therapies and counseling to treat the physical, mental and emotional effects of addiction.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone are maintenance medications used to help people reduce or quit using opioid drugs.
Acamprosate (Campral), disulfiram (Antabuse) and naltrexone (Vivitrol) are used to treat alcohol use disorders and discourage alcohol use.
As Oklahoma battles the opioid epidemic, MAT could help people live safer, healthier and sober lives.
Medication-assisted treatment has been shown to decrease:
Medication-assisted treatment has been shown to increase:
Gender-specific Oklahoma addiction treatment programs provide welcoming environments, living arrangements and therapies that respect each person's unique challenges and goals.
Oklahoma dual-diagnosis treatment programs support individuals who have both a mental health and substance use disorder. Mental health issues that commonly co-occur with addiction include depression, anxiety, ADHD and PTSD.
Many treatment centers offer individual, group and family therapy options. These sessions help a person develop coping and relapse-prevention skills so they have greater stability in their personal, social and family lives.
Evidence-based behavioral therapies include:
An increasing number of addiction treatment centers use complementary therapies and classes to support better mental and physical health.
Some of these therapies may include:
Some alternative therapies, like meditation, yoga and stress-management practices, are great for reducing stress, which is one of the biggest triggers of relapse.
Using health insurance benefits is one of the best ways to expand treatment options and reduce private-pay responsibilities.
The following health insurance companies may provide coverage for substance abuse treatment in Oklahoma:
Each insurance plan's coverage limits, copays, and deductible will vary. If a person doesn't have insurance or still needs help after insurance benefits, other forms of financial assistance may be available.
Additional financial assistance may include:
The most common short-term addiction treatment programs last 30 days, while mid-length programs last 60 days. Treatment outcomes have been shown to improve in programs lasting 90 days or longer. Long-term treatment options include 120-day programs to those that last a year or longer.
As you consider the expense of rehab in oklahoma, look at the expense as an investment in your health and well-being. Most rehabilitation centers are able to take partial payment through any PPO, HMO or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the price of treatment in OK, contact our help line, toll-free to get direct and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your OK inpatient-residential drug and alcohol abuse treatment with take a month or 3 months, beginning your recovery now improves your odds of getting and keeping healthy. Determining a rehab center that can meet your expectations before you ever begin rehab can also help considerably. When you're ready to book treatment, our hotline advisors can help you find the right location so you feel comfortable.
The cost of rehab in the state of Oklahoma will depend on the level of care provided. Considerations such as inpatient or outpatient treatment setting, medications-assisted therapy, and program amenities all factor into the final cost of the program.
Thankfully, many insurance programs, including Medicare and Oklahoma Medicaid, offer coverage for addiction treatment services. Contact your provider to find out which services are covered and which treatment facilities are in your network.
Other payment options are available for those who don't have insurance, including sliding scale fees that adjust the cost of treatment based on the patient's ability to pay, and payment plans that allow patients to make affordable monthly payments that fit their budget.
Contacting the facility directly is the best way to learn about the payment options to help you make your final decision.
Something to consider when choosing a rehab is the cost. The price of rehab can vary depending on several factors, such as location, amenities, length of stay, and types of programs provided.
If you’ve found the perfect center for you but don’t have enough money upfront, you may still have some options. Check whether they accept insurance, ask about sliding-scale fees or payment plans, or apply for a personal loan. Your family and friends may even be willing to help you pay for treatment.
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