Substance Use & Drug Overdose

Substance use disorder (SUD), or addiction, is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Drugs cause physical changes in the brain that alter its structure and how it works. SUD is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Recovery is possible. And like other diseases, treatment for drug use and SUD not only saves lives, but is cost effective.

Great strides have been made to reduce prescription opioid-related overdoses in Oklahoma, yet a drug overdose crisis remains. Methamphetamine and illicit fentanyl are currently the leading substances involved in drug overdoses. Preventing deaths and nonfatal overdoses, regardless of substance, requires a multifaceted approach rooted in collective action to address the range of social, economic, demographic, and environmental factors that influence substance use.