If you are struggling with substance abuse, it’s important to prioritize your wellbeing and safety. A drug addiction hotline in Oklahoma can help you find rehab programs that offer harm reduction approaches. These approaches can help you minimize the negative consequences of substance use and promote safer practices, while offering non-judgmental support. Harm reduction approaches do not simply advocate complete abstinence from substance use. Rather, harm reduction recognizes that each person’s circumstances and goals are different. This approach is therefore about meeting you where you are and offering practical advice to keep you and those around you safe.

The National Drug Helpline is a toll-free number that you can access by dialing 1-844-289-0879. Operators are available 24/7 and all calls to the helpline are completely free of cost and without obligation to sign up for addiction treatment. Our goal is to give anyone in need instant access to updated information about alcohol and drug rehab in Oklahoma. Calls to the helpline are confidential and are answered by trained professionals who can help you find local resources and treatment facilities.

Call 1-844-289-0789 today to discuss your concerns in a safe, non-judgmental space. Get answers to all your questions about substance abuse and addiction. Find drug and alcohol treatment facilities in Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Lawton, Broken Arrow, and other communities in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES

SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY YOUTH IN OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021 showed the following findings among 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in the state: [1]

ALCOHOL USE

  • Percentage of students who had their first alcoholic drink before age 13 years: 16.8%
  • Percentage of students who currently drank alcohol: 23.9%
  • Percentage of students who were currently engaged in binge drinking on at least 1 day in the past 30 days: 13.1%
  • Percentage of students who go the alcohol they drank by someone giving it to them: 32.8%

MARIJUANA USE

  • Percentage of students who ever used marijuana: 30.0%
  • Percentage of students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years: 6.6%
  • Percentage of students who used currently used marijuana in the past 30 days: 14.9%
  • Percentage of students who ever used synthetic marijuana (spice, K2, black mamba, fake weed): 6.0%

PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION MISUSE

  • Percentage of students who ever took prescription pain medications such as codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin, or Percocet without a doctor’s prescription or differently than prescribed: 16.1%

EXPOSURE TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

  • Percentage of students who ever used cocaine: 3.1%
  • Percentage of students who ever used heroin (smack, junk, China White): 1.9%
  • Percentage of students who ever used methamphetamines (speed, crystal meth, ice, crank): 3.1%
  • Percentage of students who ever used ecstasy: 5.3%
  • Percentage of students who were ever offered, given, or sold an illegal drug on school property: 18.9%

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN OKLAHOMA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports the following with regards to substance use in Oklahoma: [2]

YOUTH AGED 12-17 YEARS

  • Past-month marijuana use was reported by 4.6% of adolescents in 2017-2019 compared to 7.3% in 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average decreased from 7.9% in 2002-2004 to 6.8% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month alcohol use was reported by 7.4% of youth in 2017-2019 compared to 16.2% in 2002-2004. The US national average also showed a downward trend from 17.6% in 2002-2004 to 9.4% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month illicit drug use was reported by 6.4% of Oklahoma teens aged 12-17 years in 2017-2019 compared to 6.3% in 2015-2017. The US national average was stable at 8.2% during this time.
  • Past-year initiation of substances (first lifetime use) was reported by youth as follows during 2017-2019: Alcohol 7.3% (US average 9.3%), marijuana 3.4% (US average 5.2%), and cigarettes 3.4% (US average 2.3%).

Marijuana and alcohol use among adolescents in Oklahoma have shown positive trends with decreased usage in 2019 compared to 2002. Illicit drug use has remained stable.

YOUNG ADULTS AGED 18-25 YEARS

The data for young adults aged 18-25 years in Oklahoma is as follows:

  • Past-year marijuana use was reported by 32.5% of young adults in Oklahoma in 2017-2019 compared to 24.1% in 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average increased from 28.7% in 2002-2004 to 35.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder was reported in 3.6% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Oklahoma in 2017-2019, compared to 5.7% in 2002-2004. The US national average changed from 6.0% in 2002-2004 to 5.6% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year opioid use disorder was reported in 2.0% of young adults in Oklahoma in 2017-2019 compared to 2.2% in 2015-2017. The US national average changed from 1.3% in 2015-2017 to 1.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder was reported in 7.2% of Oklahoma residents aged 18-25 years in 2017-2019 compared to 6.9% in 2015-2017. The US national average was around 7.2% to 7.5% during this time period.
  • Past-month binge alcohol use was reported by 36.4% of young adults in 2017-2019 compared to 34.5% in 2015-2017. The US national average in 2017-2019 was 35.4% showing binge alcohol use in Oklahoma is slightly higher compared to the country as a whole.
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder among young adults aged 18-25 was reported in 10.8% of Oklahoma residents in 2017-2019, compared to 17.9% in 2002-2004. The US national average for 2017-2019 was 9.8%. Oklahoma therefore has a slightly higher percentage of young adults battling alcohol use disorder compared to the US average for all states.
  • Past-year substance use disorder was reported in 15.2% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Oklahoma in 2017-2019 compared to 13.2% in 2015-2017. The national average has hovered between 15.1% and 14.7% during this time.

OKLAHOMA RESIDENTS 12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER

The Behavioral Health Barometer also found the following for 2017-2019 in Oklahoma residents aged 12 years and older:

  • Past-year tobacco use: 33.8% (US average 26.8%)
  • Past-year marijuana use: 14.6% (US average 16.2%)
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder: 1.0% (US average 1.6%)
  • Past-year heroin use: 0.25% (US average 0.30%)
  • Past-year prescription painkiller misuse: 4.2% (US average 3.7%)
  • Past-year opioid use disorder: 0.8% (US average 0.7%)
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder: 2.8% (US average 2.9%)
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder: 6.1% (US average 5.3%)
  • Past-year substance use disorder: 8.3% (US average 7.4%)
  • Number of people enrolled in substance use treatment (single day counts for 2019): 23,332
  • Number of people enrolled in opioid treatment programs (single day counts for 2019): 4,241
  • Problems among people enrolled in treatment: 52.5% drug problem only, 15.2% alcohol problem only, 32.2% both drug and alcohol problems
A light pink colored medication carton with a label that reads Rx only, naloxone hydrochloride injection, luer-locked prefilled syringe, along with the stock number of the medicine.

HOW DOES A HARM REDUCTION APPROACH HELP PEOPLE BATTLING ADDICTION?

A harm reduction approach involves the following:

Education and Awareness

They say knowledge is power. A harm reduction program equips you with accurate information about the substances you’re using, including their expected effects, risks, and potential interactions. Understanding what you’re putting into your body can help you make informed decisions and lower the risk of dangerous outcomes.

Safer Use Techniques

If you choose to use substances, there are ways to reduce your risk of harm. For example, using sterile needles for intravenous drug use and clean equipment for other methods of drug administration. Clean drug paraphernalia can significantly lower your risk of infections. Other safe use techniques include using drugs in moderation, pacing your consumption, and avoiding mixing substances. These measures help to prevent overdoses and other serious adverse effects.

Testing and Purity Checks

Contaminated illegal substances can pose serious health risks. In recent years, contamination with fentanyl (an opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine) has led to an exponential increase in drug-related overdose deaths. [3] [4] You can reduce your risk of harm by learning to test the purity and potency of the substances you are using. Harm reduction programs can link you to available resources and help you make safer choices to avoid unexpected and potentially dangerous reactions.

Naloxone Distribution

If you are using opioids, having access to naloxone, a rescue medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, can be a lifesaver. Many harm reduction programs offer naloxone training and distribute this life-saving medication to ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared to respond in case of an emergency.

Safe Spaces and Supervision

Harm reduction programs teach you strategies such as using substances in the company of others who understand harm reduction measures and can provide an added layer of safety. Having someone present who can intervene in case of an emergency can make be the difference between life and death.

Access to Support Services

If you’re eager to make changes to your substance use patterns, it can be immensely beneficial to have access to counseling, therapy, and medical professionals who are well-versed in harm reduction measures. These professionals can work with you to set realistic goals and offer guidance along the way.

Community and Peer Support

Connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences can provide valuable insights and encouragement. Support groups and online communities that are focused on harm reduction provide a judgment-free space to discuss challenges, successes, and strategies for staying safe.

Personal Reflection and Goal Setting

Participating in a harm reduction program can be an opportunity to reflect on your substance use and reevaluate your life goals. These programs are often the first step in setting achievable goals, such as reducing the frequency or quantity of substance use. They can therefore be an important movement forward in your recovery journey.

Call the National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879 to find harm reduction programs in Oklahoma. Start today by making choices that prioritize your health and well-being. Stop hesitating for fears of judgment or shame. Adopt harm reduction strategies and make a commitment to taking care of yourself and those around you.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021. Available online. Accessed on August 17, 2023.
  2. SAMHSA. Behavioral Health Barometer Oklahoma. Available online. Accessed on August 17, 2023.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl Facts. Available online. Accessed on August 17, 2023.
  4. National Library of Medicine. Engagement in harm reduction strategies after suspected fentanyl contamination among opioid dependent individuals.  Available online. Accessed on August 17, 2023.

Last updated: August 17, 2023