988 for Substance Use
What Is 988?
988 is an emergency hotline for all mental health crises. A mental health crisis can be anything from thoughts of suicide, to problems with substance abuse, to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. 988 phone operators are not required to give your personal data or information to any protective services. Your privacy is important and completely protected through 988.
What can 988 do for me?
The goals of the 988 line are simple:
- 1. To save lives
- 2. To connect people to the ongoing support they need
- 3. To evaluate and address the gaps in our current system
Someone may call 988 for any of the following reasons: anxiety and depression, domestic abuse, familial problems, suicidal ideation or self-harm, paranoia and psychosis, emotional distress and loneliness, financial stress or worry, stress surrounding sexual orientation, and lastly – substance use issues.
988 and Substance Use
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or a substance use disorder (SUD), calling or texting 988 is a great place to start. An operator will listen to what is going on, talk you through immediate next steps, and connect you with the resources you need to reach recovery. 988 is meant to inspire hope and give you all of the available options or resources for your specific situation. If you need guidance on supporting a loved one through SUD, an operator can connect you with the appropriate tools and resources, but if your loved one needs resources for their substance use, 988 works best for the individual in struggle. Encourage them to call or text 988 directly.
988 vs. 911
If you or someone around you is in immediate distress of any kind, call 911. For overdose or suspected overdose, call 911 directly for life-saving help. For more information on 988, visit 988oklahoma.org.