Expert Insights
I recently saw a new billboard campaign in Tulsa showing the real impact of drug overdoses. Families Supporting Families have put their tragedy towards advocacy by sharing pictures of their loved ones calling for more action by law enforcement and asking, “why are drug dealers getting away with murder?” As someone who has lost friends to drug overdoses, I agree that we need to do more, but I think instead of a focus on law enforcement, shouldn’t we be focusing on providing support to family members struggling with their mental health and taking drugs? I believe that no one decides that drugs are the answer, but they are in enough pain to think drugs are the only answer. We need more treatment centers and mental health providers, not just taking drugs off the streets. We know abolition doesn’t work but trauma-informed addiction treatment does.
~ Olivia Pennelle
How Expensive is Drug Rehab in Tulsa?
When looking for alcohol rehab and drug rehab in Tulsa, you can choose from for- profit, non-profit, and government-funded programs. If you have private insurance or you plan to pay out-of-pocket, you can choose from a wealth of private rehabs. Just keep in mind that publicly funded programs tend to have less money available for luxury accommodations.
State-funded rehabs generally receive money from the government and national organizations dedicated to helping people battle substance abuse. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides block grants to localities that help run residential and various degrees of outpatient programming. You can reach out to your local social services agency to ask about low-income addiction treatment programs they may have available.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
Generally speaking, yes, insurance does often cover inpatient and outpatient rehab. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act require insurance providers to cover addiction treatment and mental health services to the same extent that they do medical services—plus, substance addiction was established as one of the ten essential health benefits.
Private Insurance: Private health insurance coverage is usually found within employee benefits packages, though the new open healthcare market now offers coverage to people outside their employer. Providers such as Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare Group can pay for medication, counseling, and residential treatment as it’s medically necessary.
Medicaid: Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program for people who can’t afford private insurance and don’t have access to employer-funded insurance. You qualify for this program based on annual income and family size.
Medicare: Similar to Medicaid, Medicare is federally-funded health insurance coverage for those who qualify based on age and disability. Many rehab centers accept both forms of insurance and generally state it on their website.
How Do You Pay for Addiction Treatment in Tulsa?
While most centers accept self-pay and private insurance, people with addiction don’t always have access to those resources. Fortunately, there are various programs for people of all income levels. According to SAMHSA, in the 25 miles from the Tulsa city center, there are:2
Regardless of your financial situation, there are rehab centers in or near Tulsa that offer financial support like sliding-scale payment options and scholarships for those who qualify.
Apply for a Rehab Scholarship: Rehab scholarships may be offered by programs with access to federal and SAMHSA block grants. Reach out to your desired rehab’s intake department to ask if they can offer you a rehab scholarship to pay for all or part of the cost of your recovery treatment services.
Find Sliding Scale Payment Options: A rehab that offers sliding scale payment options allow low-income participants to pay for their care based on a percentage of their income. This type of program is valuable if you have a job or other source of income, but don’t quite make enough to pay for the treatment program you need.
Choose a Program that Offers Payment Plans: Many rehabs, particularly those that are more exclusive, may offer payment plans instead of requesting the full cost of care up front. This might make affording treatment easier to accomplish. The facility might request a down payment on care, and there may be interest and administrative charges related to the payment plan.
How Does Tulsa Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma. Situated near Oklahoma City and major interstates, Tulsa struggles with drug trafficking, illicit substance abuse, and crime. In fact, with a 418% increase in Oklahoma drug overdoses in 2022, residents are now more likely to die from an overdose than be killed by a firearm.8 If you’re looking for an alcohol or drug rehab in Tulsa, you’ll find limited facilities. However, by traveling a short distance to neighboring areas, you have a wealth of options to find the treatment services you need.
According to recent data from Tulsa County, 2019 experienced:1
The seventh highest overdose hospitalization rate in the country, with opiates leading to one in five cases.
Of the various illicit substances that led to overdoses, prescription anxiety medication led to 15% of hospitalizations.
Recent data shows that 94 Oklahomans are hospitalized due to drug abuse every week.
Women are 50% more likely to be hospitalized for drug-related emergencies, and men are twice as likely to die from overdose.
Alcohol and Drug Laws in Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma has passed a variety of laws in response to the growing trend of alcohol and drug abuse.
Mental Health Parity Passes: Oklahoma’s Mental Health Parity laws require treatment centers to provide the same level of care for clients, regardless of the type of insurance or payment they use. This prevents treatment providers from offering a lower standard of care to people utilizing Medicaid, Medicare, IHS, or other forms of federal and state-funded health care funding.5
Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Law: Like most states, Oklahoma has a Good Samaritan law that enables bystanders in the presence of a suspected overdose to reach out to emergency responders for help. Police officers and other first responders are equipped with Narcan to reverse a drug overdose, saving lives if they arrive in time, so they urge the public to call 911 if they suspect someone is overdosing on opiates, alcohol, or another substance.
Opiate Prescription Regulation Bills: In 2018, Oklahoma passed a series of bills, including House Bill 1446, designed to reduce the overall increase in fraudulent prescriptions and resulting opioid overdose deaths.6 The bill dictates objects such as prescribing doctors’ new need to register prescriptions into a state database electronically and include treatment notes regarding their observed and admitted opiate use into their medical files. This bill is in addition to 2013’s Reducing Prescription Drug Use in Oklahoma package that facilitates the use of Naloxone in suspected overdose cases for emergency first responders and trained family members.7
Choosing the Right Level of Care
There are flexible rehab options available for you when you want to take part in addiction therapy while balancing work and family from home. Alternatively, you can move into a residential treatment center that allows you to focus fully on your recovery efforts. Whatever your situation, there’s a rehab in Tulsa that can help you beat addiction.
Medical Detox
Detox is the process of ridding the body of all drugs and alcohol under 24/7 medical supervision. Most people choose medical detox as a way to help prevent severe withdrawal symptoms, as the process can be life-threatening for those addicted to substances like alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. Generally speaking, medical detox tends to last five to seven days, but can last longer if needed.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient treatment in Tulsa drug rehabs provide a secure, stable environment to undergo intensive addiction treatment. Inpatient rehab facilities tend to offer private or shared accommodations, dining plans that often include client participation at some level, shared recreational facilities such as game and fitness rooms, and a myriad of therapy locations on-site.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
The most intensive form of outpatient rehab, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) or day programs, require clients to visit the facility daily for therapy, drug education, and medical treatments. This type of program can last for a month or 90 days, depending on your needs. PHPs provide a bridge in the gap of services between detox programs and outpatient drug and alcohol counseling.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs, IOPs, are less stringent than PHPs, but offer the same type of therapies several days a week instead of daily. Some IOPs offer telehealth counseling services instead of requiring a physical trip to the clinic.
Standard Outpatient
Standard outpatient treatment is the least intensive treatment option, requiring a few hours of therapy per week, spread out over one or two meetings per week. This type of treatment typically involves individual therapy and group counseling.
Telehealth and Online Addiction Treatment
Remote substance use treatment services, or telehealth, is a method of service that lets you work with your recovery team from home. You can conduct doctor’s appointments, speak with counselors, and manage your prescriptions over the phone or video calls. These services are typically covered by private and state insurance, and over half of telehealth users were Medicaid and Medicare patients in 2021.3
Finding Specialized Rehab Programs for Various Demographics
Some rehabs cater to unique circumstances and characteristics.
LGBTQ+ Rehab
Members of the LGBTQ+ community may struggle with issues related to self-image and self-esteem, strained family relationships, and negativity from society in various forms. It’s no surprise that LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to be addicted to marijuana, three times more likely to use opioids, and tend to enter treatment with more severe and co-morbid disorders than other populations.4
Veteran Rehab
Veterans face a long list of mental health disorder indicators such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and PTSD. Seek a substance abuse treatment that has experience with the traumas that often lead veterans to seek solace in substances. These programs provide evidence-based therapy to help soldiers learn anger management, overcome flashbacks, and find healthy ways to communicate with their loved ones after coming home.
Men-Only Rehab
Rehab programs for men are designed to provide a secure environment that facilitates bonding between participants, creating a lifelong network of brothers in recovery. These programs focus on teaching men life skills, including organizational skills along with emotional regulation and improved communication.
Women-Only Rehab
Rehab for women helps clients overcome issues that women tend to face, such as single motherhood and sexual trauma. Programs usually include holistic therapies that incorporate mind and body practices, such as yoga and journaling. They may also have rooms for families to spend time or even let children habitat with mothers in rehab.
Teen Rehab
Rehab for teens in Tulsa helps people under 18 who are trying to navigate their education, blossoming careers, families, and social life with the extra burden of behavioral addiction. These centers often have amenities that support your outside life, like study space, sports and other recreational activities, and sober outings.
Should I Travel to Oklahoma for Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
If you want a change of pace from your current location, traveling to Tulsa for rehab may be in your best interest. Make a careful decision based on these important points:
- Does your health insurance coverage pay for treatment at your chosen facility? Call before taking a tour and verify your insurance coverage to save some time.
- Does the facility have a community and philosophy that would be beneficial to your recovery?
- Do the amenities and therapies line up with your treatment needs?
- Will there be aftercare provided when you graduate from the program?
Neighborhoods in Tulsa to Consider for Treatment
Take a look at some of the popular neighborhoods in the city of Tulsa:
- Downtown and midtown areas are popular with young professionals who want to enjoy the privacy of their condos or small home.
- The Cherry Street and Brookside neighborhoods offer a variety of comfy apartments and single-family homes for new residents.
- The Pearl District has a wealth of natural spaces, such as landscaped ponds and a canal, along with proximity to Centennial Park.
- On the edge of the Arkansas River, the West Tulsa neighborhood has easy access to highways and the seat of Oklahoma State University.
Resources
- Oklahoma State Department of Health. (2022). Tulsa County Overdose Fact Sheet.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. (2022). Behavioral Health Services Treatment Locator.
- Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Office of Health Policy. (2021). National Survey Trends in Telehealth Use in 2021.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Substance Use and SUDs in LGBTQ+ Populations.
- Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. (2022). Mental Health Parity Passes.
- Oklahoma Senate. (2018). Senate Act 1446.
- Oklahoma State Department of Health. (2022). Naloxone.