Oklahoma Addiction Hotlines

December 22, 2023

Last Updated on: 22nd December 2023, 12:45 am

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Oklahoma Addiction Hotlines: How to Help a Loved One Struggling with Substance Use

Getting help for a loved one struggling with addiction can be really tough. Like, where do you even start? Who can you call? What kinds of treatment options are out there? It’s a lot to wrap your head around, I know.The good news is there are some great resources in Oklahoma specifically for friends and family looking to support their loved one in getting help with their substance use. I wanted to share the top addiction and mental health hotlines in OK that you can reach out to if you think your friend or family member needs help kicking their drug or alcohol habit.

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Hotline

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) has a 24/7 hotline you can call if you’re concerned about a loved one’s substance use:1-800-522-9054They can talk you through different types of treatment centers in OK, what your loved one’s options are, and how you can support them. The folks who answer the phones are super nice and understanding.One thing that’s kinda cool is that ODMHSAS actually offers free family support groups across the state. So like, you can connect with other people going through the same thing and trade stories and advice. Could be helpful to check out one of the support group meetings in your area.

Reachout Hotline

Another good hotline option is Reachout. They have a line specifically for friends and family looking to get help for a loved one dealing with addiction:1-800-522-9054The Reachout people are really compassionate. They can talk you through different types of rehab programs, like inpatient, outpatient, 12-step, etc. and help you figure out what might work best for your situation.A nice thing with Reachout is they also have an online chat feature. So if you’d rather type than talk on the phone, you can hit them up for help on their website during business hours.

Heartline Oklahoma

Heartline has an addiction and mental health hotline you can call 24/7:211 or 1-877-275-6364These folks are super down-to-earth and welcoming. They can help educate you on stuff like enabling vs. helping, setting boundaries with the person struggling with addiction, and taking care of your own mental health through all this.Heartline also offers a free helpline texting service for anyone needing support related to mental health or substance abuse issues:Text your zip code to 898211So that’s a nice option too if you don’t feel like talking to someone.

Oklahoma Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

If your loved one is specifically struggling with alcohol addiction, I’d recommend hitting up one of the Oklahoma AA chapters.They have hotlines across the state you can call to speak with someone about treatment options, AA meetings in your area, getting a sponsor, etc:

Central Office in Oklahoma City: 405-524-1100
Tulsa County Intergroup: 918-585-1213

And here’s a full directory if you live somewhere else in OK.The AA folks obviously really know their stuff when it comes to alcohol addiction and treatment. And a lot of rehab programs for alcoholism utilize 12-step methods. So they can give you good insight into different options.

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health Crisis Centers

If the person you’re concerned about is really in a dire situation – like showing signs of alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose, you need to get them medical attention ASAP.But the ODMDHSAS also has these Mental Health Crisis Centers located regionally across Oklahoma you can call or visit if the person is showing other signs of crisis related to their substance use, like:

Talking about self-harm or suicide
Acting violently or erratically
Going through really severe withdrawal symptoms

Here’s a map of crisis centers around the state so you can find the one closest to your location.When you get your loved one into emergency help like that, they’ll be able to medically stabilize them and then talk about options for addiction treatment programs.

Finding the Right Type of Help

Reaching out to one of these Oklahoma addiction and mental health hotlines is a great starting point when you’re trying to help a loved one who’s struggling. The people who answer those lines every day are so knowledgeable and compassionate. They’ll be able to give you personalized guidance on treatment options and next steps.Some things they can help with:

Figuring out whether your loved one needs medical detox first to get the drugs or alcohol safely out of their system
Finding an inpatient rehab or outpatient program that’s the right fit
Connecting your loved one with counseling, therapy, support groups, 12-step programs, etc.
Helping your loved one get on medication assisted treatment if they could benefit from that
Finding affordable options if your loved one doesn’t have insurance or much money to put toward treatment

The type of program that will work best depends a lot on the severity of your loved one’s addiction, their drug of choice, their mental health situation, and other factors. Like whether they have a safe, drug-free place to stay after finishing treatment.That’s why talking to an addiction specialist can be so valuable in the beginning. They’ll help assess what level and type of care is needed for your loved one’s unique situation.

Taking Care of Yourself First

I know how scary and stressful it is having someone you really care about caught up in addiction. You just want them to get better and be healthy again.But one tip I always give people is you have to put your own oxygen mask on before helping someone else. AKA, take care of your mental and emotional health first before trying to “save” or fix the other person.If you let your loved one’s addiction take you down too, you’re not going to be much help to them or yourself.So while you’re researching treatment options and making calls, be sure you’re also:

Getting out to attend a local support group for friends/family of addicts
Seeing your own therapist or counselor if you’re feeling overwhelmed
Taking time for self-care – bubble baths, jogs, girls nights out, whatever helps you destress
Setting emotional boundaries with your loved one if needed to protect your mental health

You can’t force someone else to get sober if they aren’t ready. As much as it hurts to see them destroying themselves, all you can do is offer help and support when they do decide they want to get treatment.Be compassionate but also stand firm in prioritizing your needs too.

There is Hope

Even when it feels hopeless, there are so many stories of people recovering from addiction and going on to lead happy, fulfilling lives in recovery. Lots of treatment methods and community support options exist here in Oklahoma.So try to hold on to that hope when you’re making those tough late-night calls to addiction hotlines or researching rehab centers online. There are compassionate, skilled people ready to help you and your loved one.You’ve got this – both of you. Don’t be afraid to reach out.