drug problemThe Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) identifies substance abuse as Oklahoma’s number one public health problem. It also cites substance abuse as our number one public health problem nationwide.

Substance Abuse in Oklahoma

The cost of substance abuse in terms of money and human suffering is astronomical.

According to ODMHSAS, the economic cost to Oklahoma is estimated to be nearly $7 billion dollars annually:

  • $2 billion in expenses for healthcare, social services, public safety, costs to business and property loss.
  • $5 billion in lost productivity-related costs.

The cost in human suffering and destroyed lives far surpasses even the economic toll. Alcohol and drug addiction in Oklahoma contributes to:

  • 85 % of all homicides.
  • 80% of all prison incarnations.
  • 75 % of all divorces.
  • 65 % of all cases of child abuse.
  • 55% of all domestic assaults.
  • 50% of all Oklahoma traffic fatalities.
  • 35% of all rapes.
  • 33% of all suicides.

Oklahomans and Substance Abuse Treatment

ODMHSAS reports an estimated 140,000 Oklahomans over the age of 18 need alcohol- addiction treatment. That equates to 5 percent of the state population.

Another 21,000 Oklahomans—about 1 percent of the population—need substance abuse treatment for drug addiction.

There are 323,000 adolescents in Oklahoma. Nearly 6 percent of them (about 20,000), are in need of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

Across the state of Oklahoma, addiction to alcohol surpasses addiction to drugs. For every person needing drug abuse treatment, there are more than seven Oklahomans needing treatment for alcohol abuse.

Statewide, alcohol addiction surpasses drug addiction by an average of 7.5 to one; meaning that for every person needing drug treatment more than seven people need alcohol treatment.

Signs of Substance Abuse

According to the ODMHSAS, a person needing substance abuse treatment may show some signs and symptoms:

  • The person takes larger amounts of the alcohol or drugs, or takes them longer than he or she intended.
  • The person has a persistent desire to use the drugs or alcohol, with an unsuccessful effort or efforts to control or cut down on substance use.
  • The person spends excessive amounts of time getting the substance, taking it, or recovering from its use.
  • The person is frequently intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal symptoms when he or she is expected to fulfill major life obligations such as work, attend school, parenting; or continuing to use when the substance use is a physical hazard.
  • The person gives-up or reduces participation in important occupational, social or recreational activities due to substance use.
  • The person continues to use the substance despite knowing there is a recurring physical, social or mental problem caused or made worse by substance use.
  • Substance tolerance is markedly increased, causing the person to need more of the substance in attempting to achieve the desired result. Use of the same amount of the substance results in a markedly diminished effect.
  • Withdrawal symptoms characteristic to the abused substance set-in.
  • Substance frequently taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Warning signs of adolescent substance abuse are cited as:

  • Changes in eating, sleeping or grooming habits.
  • Temper tantrums or hypersensitivity.
  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
  • Watery or red eyes.
  • Shaking of the hands, the feet or the legs.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Frequent nausea or vomiting.
  • Skipping school and/or a drop in school grades.
  • Loss of interest in his or her family activities.
  • Los of interest in activities previously enjoyed activities.
  • Stealing money, or an unexplained need for money.
  • An attitude of “I don’t care”.
  • Excessive need for secrecy or privacy.

Oklahoma Drug Prevention & Treatment

The best time to stop alcohol and drug abuse is before it even starts. Drug prevention education is a proven and effective tool to prevent substance abuse. Support drug prevention education efforts in the state of Oklahoma. Learn the facts about drugs and alcohol. Speak freely with your children and teens. Educate them on drugs and alcohol, and the very real risks and dangers of their use. Teach them how to deal with in-life situations of drug and alcohol use by peers. Teach them how to say “no”, and to mean it. Demand drug prevention education in your Oklahoma schools and communities.

For those who have already fallen into the trap of substance abuse, seek effective treatment. A holistic, drug-free approach to treatment combined with increasing life-skills needed in life is recommended.