Substance Use Disorder

A medical condition characterized by an uncontrolled pattern of substance use — including alcohol, opioids, stimulants, or other drugs — that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress. SUD treatment encompasses detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and long-term recovery support. Oklahoma has seen rising overdose death rates driven primarily by opioids and methamphetamine. SUD treatment is among the highest-priority use cases for telehealth infrastructure nationally, and access to SUD care is a core equity challenge in rural America. The RHTP's Behavioral Health Integration initiative specifically targets integrated SUD treatment in primary care settings, recognizing that most rural residents will only access SUD care if it is available in a familiar, non-stigmatized environment. Telehealth has been shown to be equally effective as in-person treatment for many SUD interventions. Portal networks in rural libraries provide a stigma-reducing access point that may be more accessible than a behavioral health clinic for individuals with SUD who face community stigma or transportation barriers.