Oklahoma

Oklahoma has numerous drug problems that are being addressed at both a state and national level. Between 2007 and 2008, Oklahoma ranked number 1 among all other states in the rate of past-year non-medical use of pain relievers among persons age 12 and older. Prescription drug abuse and addiction is an epidemic across the United States with more and more treatment centers specializing in the care and rehabilitation of this specific addiction issue. Oklahoma also saw a dramatic increase in the number of meth lab seizures throughout the state, 283%! The El Paso Intelligence Center’s National Seizure System reported that there were 93 incidents of meth lab seizures in 2007 and a whopping 356 meth lab seizures just 2 years later in 2009. While prescription drugs and meth labs are a predominant part of Oklahoma’s drug problem, other illicit drugs are creating issues in the state too. An estimated 8% of Oklahoma residents reported past-month use of illicit drugs in one recent survey. Additionally, 4.85 percent of Oklahoma residents reported using an illicit drug other than marijuana in the past month (the national average was 3.58 percent). Drug related deaths in Oklahoma exceed the national average. Oklahoma drug-induced deaths (19 per 100,000 population) exceeded the national rate (12.7 per 100,000). In 2007, 687 people died in Oklahoma as a direct consequence of drug use, abuse or addiction problems. A comparison would include deaths due to motor vehicle accidents (743) and firearms (482) during the same year. In July 2006, the Oklahoma prescription monitoring program was created by the Oklahoma anti-drug diversion act. This program’s primary goal is to deter the abuse of prescription drugs. �'The statute requires all dispensers of Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances to submit prescription dispensing information to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Control within 24 hours of dispensing a scheduled narcotic.

2009 data from the Treatment Episode Data Set showed that marijuana was the most commonly cited drug among drug rehab admissions in Oklahoma. Marijuana was closely followed by stimulants, other opiates, cocaine, other/unknown, heroin, tranquilizers, sedatives, hallucinogens, inhalants and PCP. Oklahoma residents need drug rehab more today than ever before as their addiction problem spirals out of control. The ultimate goal of any of drug rehab program is to enable an individual to achieve lasting abstinence. The immediate goals are to reduce drug abuse, improve the program participant’s ability to function, and minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse and addiction. There are several points to take into consideration when selecting which drug rehab program will best address you or your loved one’s recovery needs. While each person in drug rehab responds to different treatment philosophies and rehabilitation methods, one fact remains true for all who are looking to achieve lasting recovery. Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is the key to achieving sobriety. Numerous studies have shown that an average of 90 days in treatment provides program participants with enough time to come off the drugs they are addicted to, locate and address the issues that drove them to abuse and become addicted to drugs and not only learn to live life drug-free, but actually experience some time while in treatment living day to day life sober. Shorter programs just don’t provide clients with the necessary time they require to make these major changes in themselves.