Oklahoma’s drug problems are in large part fueled by illegal drugs smuggled out of Mexico through Texas. Methamphetamine, cocaine, and Hydrocodone top the list of problem drugs. Many families are unaware of the prevalence of drugs in their area, or of the dangers lurking in their own medicine cabinet, until it is too late. Even in rural Oklahoma drugs are widely available, and no family should ever assume that it will never need the services of a drug and alcohol treatment center. The enormous addictive qualities of drugs like meth can create a problem on the first experimental use. A fun night at a party may result in a nightmare.

Recovery for a drug or alcohol addiction is a long process with many steps, starting with convincing an addict to seek treatment at all. Intervention by professionals may be required. A full-service drug and alcohol treatment center should offer end-to-end treatment and be able to provide continuity in care from that very first phone call for help.

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment centers in Oklahoma are found in most of its larger communities. If your town is too small to offer a comprehensive treatment program, consider expanding your search. Intervention is just the first step. Detoxification, counseling, and long-term modification of the addict’s self-destructive behavior are all critical elements in producing a positive outcome. A poorly-managed program can allow a recovering addict to step off track, resulting in failure, discouragement, and a pattern of recovery and relapse.

Most Oklahoma families prefer to seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse in Oklahoma. Rehabilitation centers are often more effective, however, when they remove an addict from the local setting and allow him to focus on recovery. It is often difficult even for the addict to tell what drove her to the bottle or the drug dealer. A combination of work stress, family issues, or dissatisfaction with life in general could all drive an addiction, not to mention close proximity to so-called friends who encouraged the habit. Sometimes families enable an addiction without realizing it, by failing to confront the individual or supporting him while he “works it out.” Within the walls of a rehab center dedicated to forcing the issue, the addict has a much better chance of transforming her life.

True drug and alcohol treatment centers in Oklahoma or anywhere else on earth must break both the physical and the psychological hold exerted by drugs or alcohol to effect a true recovery. Look for a program that can offer a comprehensive course of treatment, that has adequate staffing and funding, and that focuses on long-term recovery, not short-term detoxification and management of symptoms.

Oklahoma is the Sooner State, a good thing to keep in mind when approaching drug and alcohol treatment. Centers for addiction should be sought out sooner than later if you even suspect a problem exists in your household. There are too many drug and alcohol rehab centers in Oklahoma to pretend there is no help for your problem, no matter where you live.