Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse

Rural–Urban Differences in Out-of-Network Treatment Initiation and Engagement Rates for Substance Use Disorders
Explores disparities in access to substance use disorder treatments among privately insured individuals in rural and urban areas between 2016-2018. Compares rates of initial and ongoing treatment for alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and other drug use disorders overall and from out-of-network providers for urban and rural patients.
Author(s): Eli Raver, Sheldon M. Retchin, Yiting Li, Andrew D. Carlo, Wendy Y. Xu
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 03/2024
view details
Cannabis Donation as a Harm Reduction Strategy: A Case Study
Analyzes harm reduction practices to address overdose mortality rates in the U.S. by exploring the outcomes of a cannabis donation program operated in rural Michigan. Examines the program's operational logistics, feasibility, sales and donation statistics, potential benefits, and impacts of substituting cannabis in place of other substances.
Author(s): Sarah E. Duhart Clarke, Grant Victor, Pamela Lynch, Leslie W. Suen, Bradley Ray
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 58
Date: 03/2024
view details
Use of In-Network Insurance Benefits Is Critical for Improving Retention in Telehealth-Based Buprenorphine Treatment
Evaluated 3,842 patients in an opioid use disorder (OUD) telehealth company to identify associations in insurance status and treatment program retention. Patient characteristic data includes breakdown by urbanicity, demographic characteristics, buprenorphine status, and more.
Author(s): Arthur Robin Williams, Christopher Row, Lexie Minarik, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(3)
Date: 03/2024
view details
The Influence of Transformations in Supply on Methamphetamine Initiation Among People Injecting Opioids in the United States
Discusses the co-use of methamphetamine (MA) and opioids (pharmaceutical pills, heroin and fentanyls) through interview and observation of 30 individuals in West Virginia. Explores drug initiation and supply as well as evolving cultural beliefs and taboos of drug use, including those related to rural spaces in West Virginia.
Author(s): Sarah Mars, Jeff Ondocsin, Nicole Holm, Daniel Ciccarone
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 57
Date: 03/2024
view details
Exploring the Link Between Altitude of Residence and Smoking Patterns in the United States
Presents a study exploring the relationship between altitude and rates of smoking. Features a breakdown of the data by demographic characteristics, such as sex and rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Danielle Jeanne-Marie Boxer, Young-Hoon Sung, Nicolas A. Nunez, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 226
Date: 02/2024
view details
Rural Communities Opioids Response Program (RCORP)
Highlights a review of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Technical Assistance (RCORP-TA) program. Features a number of reports and briefs exploring the efficacy and perception of the technical assistance provided RCORP grantees from March 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 by the RCORP-TA program.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
The Suicide Epidemic in Rural Minnesota: How We Got Here and How We Move Forward
Provides information on the yearly increase of suicides and deaths of despair in Minnesota, with data broken down by sex, region, and rurality. Discusses factors that impact suicide rates in rural areas, with a focus on tribal communities, farming, stigma, firearm access, and more.
Author(s): Marnie Werner, Tracie Rutherford Self
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Rural Behavioral Health, Center for Rural Policy and Development
view details
Testing the Feasibility of the QuitAid Smoking Cessation Intervention in a Randomized Factorial Design in an Independent, Rural Community Pharmacy
Examines a pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation intervention in rural Appalachia. Analyzes an ask-advise-connect model conducted with 24 adult smokers between September and November 2021, observing recruitment, retention, treatment adherence, and fidelity. Includes data on participant demographics, participant satisfaction, and pharmacist perceptions.
Author(s): Melissa A. Little, Taylor Reid, Matthew Moncrief, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(41)
Date: 02/2024
view details
Opioid Stewardship Program Implementation in Rural and Critical Access Hospitals in Arizona
Assesses the implementation of 11 opioid stewardship program (OSP) elements at 17 Arizona Critical Access Hospitals. Compares data between the emergency and inpatient departments and analyzes trends. Discusses standardization of OSPs and both preventing and treating opioid misuse disorder.
Author(s): Benjamin R. Brady, Bianca SantaMaria, Kathryn Tucker Ortiz y Pino, Bridget S. Murphy
Citation: Journal of Opioid Management, 20(1), 21-30
Date: 02/2024
view details
Factors Associated with Gaps in Naloxone Knowledge: Evidence from a 2022 Great Plains Survey
Examines naloxone knowledge in Nebraska, such as familiarity with, access to, and competency administering naloxone. Analyzes 2022 Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey data with breakdowns according to respondent substance use, social and demographic data, and metro versus nonmetro location. Discusses issues such as naloxone access, education, and stigma related to opioid-related overdose deaths.
Author(s): Spencer Cooper-Ohm, Patrick Habecker, Ryan Humeniuk, Rick A. Bevins
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 37
Date: 02/2024
view details