https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/opioids Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis resources related to rural health, with information provided by the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://attcnetwork.org/products_and_resources/empowering-rural-communities-overcoming-barriers-to-treatment/ Webinar recording discusses the ways rural communities can overcome barriers to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and uptake. Explores substance use data for rural communities and outlines common barriers, such as travel times and distance to care, provider shortages, and concerns about stigma and patient confidentiality. Highlights strategies for rural communities to leverage their community bonds and faith communities to address SUD, and details models for expanding treatment and patient support in rural areas. -- Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27459 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:15:31 -0600 https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/advisory-model-standards-crisis-care-workers-pep25-07-017.pdf Proposes national standards for crisis care workers responding to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other behavioral health hotlines. Outlines 10 different standards for crisis care workers, such as core values and competencies; education, training, and qualifications; and standards for supervision, among others. Discusses some considerations for rural communities, such as lack of transportation and workforce shortages. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27452 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:34:59 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6481 An online training on the efficacy and dissemination of contingency management as a model for treatment of stimulant, tobacco, and other substance use disorders. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6481 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:09:46 -0600 https://www.fletchergroup.org/2023/10/02/economic-calculator/ Tool helps substance use disorder (SUD) recovery programs make better financial decisions and attract the support of funders, stakeholders, community members, and policymakers. Outlines the methodology behind the calculator and provides an example report. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27384 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:42:33 -0600 https://www.usetinc.org/event/emotional-well-being-through-healing-of-the-canoe/ https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/events/24972 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:19:19 -0600 https://www.umu.com/index?eid=FletcherGroup#/index Provides training at no cost for substance use disorder (SUD) recovery programs. Focuses on building recovery support systems, including recovery housing and peer support systems. Resources are aimed at rural communities but are relevant to all SUD recovery situations. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27375 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:38:54 -0600 https://den.mercer.edu/school-of-medicine-receives-over-600000-to-continue-fighting-opioid-epidemic/ The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust has awarded more than $600,000 to research and prevention projects at Mercer University School of Medicine. The projects address substance use in Georgia and emphasize prevention, treatment, and impact in rural communities most affected by the opioid epidemic. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38245 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:12:39 -0600 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11870797/ Presents a study on the role of family, friends, and clinicians can play in influencing naltrexone treatment uptake of people with opioid use disorder (POUD) who are incarcerated in Appalachia. Bases findings on interviews with clinicians and breaks down data by sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and social network composition, among other measures. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27324 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:30:48 -0600 https://www.nativeoverdoseresource.org/ Provides resources for tribal communities working to address substance use and overdose prevention. Includes information and guidance for establishing and funding substance use and overdose prevention programs in tribal communities, as well as a collection of best practices and model programs. -- National Network of Public Health Institutes, University of Washington https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27112 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:47:33 -0600 https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56978/2024-nsduh-data-brief-young-adult.pdf Report details the substance use trends for young adults from 2021 to 2024 based on the findings from the Nation Survey on Drug Use and Health. Identifies substance use patterns and breaks down data by age, substance used, and whether participants resided in a large or small metropolitan or nonmetro county. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27029 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:01:21 -0600 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319251391284 Presents a study exploring the feasibility of implementing an intervention to improve primary care providers' (PCPs) knowledge, confidence, and adoption of naloxone-related practices in rural Federally Qualified Health Centers. Study involves 30 PCPs in rural Arkansas, with 15 receiving a 30-minute virtual training on naloxone. Breaks down data by PCP profession type as well as Health Professional Shortage Area status and score. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26772 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:14:49 -0600 https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2025/10/03/how-states-can-boost-behavioral-health-services-in-rural-communities Explores ways state officials can utilize federal funds to increase mental health and substance use treatment for rural communities. Highlights strategies for increasing access to behavioral health services in rural communities that can be funded through the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. -- Pew Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26514 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:58:54 -0500 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13722-025-00606-6 Presents a study on the cost of implementing an intervention to deploy opioid education, naloxone distribution, and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural and urban locations in New York. Evaluates data from two time periods, or waves, from January 2020 to June 2022 and July 2022 to December 2023. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26476 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:03:55 -0500 https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/audit/11229/A-06-23-07000.pdf Examines whether Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Expansion award recipients met the five required core activities and three proposed benchmarks between September 2019 and August 2022. Summarizes results of a performance audit of RCORP MAT Expansion award recipients, including site visits to each awardee. Appendix C covers the challenges and barriers award recipients faced while establishing or expanding their MAT programs. -- Office of Inspector General (HHS) https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26436 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 11:03:15 -0500 https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/sho25004.pdf Provides guidance for states to maintain a continuum of behavioral health crisis care for patients covered by Medicaid and CHIP. Details core elements of the continuum of crisis care and how Medicaid and CHIP function within that framework. Highlights considerations for rural communities. -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26389 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:25:10 -0500 https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e64913 Provides a study protocol focused on creating a community-engaged approach to implementing public health vending machines (PHVMs) that distribute naloxone in rural North Carolina. Discusses the need to engage people who have experienced substance use when developing public health interventions to prevent drug overdose. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26368 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:16:17 -0500 https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56616/2024-nsduh-spotlight-moud.pdf Offers National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data on adults receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) between 2022 and 2024 by age, sex, region, and metropolitan county status. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26318 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 16:09:45 -0500 https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56618/2024-nsduh-infographic-illicit-drug-use.pdf Highlights National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data on marijuana and opioid use between 2022 and 2024. Includes break down of use for adults and adolescents between 12 and 17 by various demographic and geographic factors including 5 levels of urbanization. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26313 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:27:05 -0500 https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.00339 Explores the lessons learned form implementing a telemedicine-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Maryland jails. Highlights the challenges and opportunities expanding, establishing, and implementing buprenorphine treatment via telemedicine. Draws conclusions for future interventions. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26266 Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:32:19 -0500 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395925002233 Details a study exploring the impact of changing patterns of drug use in rural and urban areas are affecting the rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID). Compares rates of infection and drug use in San Diego, CA and rural Central and Northern, WI. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26202 Wed, 27 Aug 2025 20:26:49 -0500 https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2024-nsduh-detailed-tables Explores 2024 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26068 Fri, 08 Aug 2025 10:00:07 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6423 Training and technical assistance to assist states, Tribes, territories, and communities to expand the delivery of recovery support services. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6423 Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:21:47 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70069 Presents a study exploring the geographic distribution of no-cost naloxone in North Carolina. Bases findings on a survey of naloxone distributors in the state and breaks down data by user demographics and distributor type. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26046 Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:37:32 -0500 https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/data-and-reports/2025/mom-fourth-ann-eval-rpt Provides an overview of the Maternal Opioid Misuse Model, which provides evidence-based integrated care and care coordination for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD). Describes activities MOM Model awardees undertook during the MOM Model's second implementation year, July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024, and summarizes qualitative and beneficiary-level process data findings by state awardee. Discusses barriers pregnant and postpartum women with OUD face in accessing high-quality, continuous care, specifically in rural areas. -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26008 Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:29:46 -0500 https://www.ihs.gov/sites/asab/themes/responsive2017/display_objects/documents/coippaggregatereport20212024.pdf Report evaluates the Indian Health Service's Community Opioid Intervention Pilot Project aimed at addressing opioid use disorder in tribal communities. Collects and evaluates data from grantees after the program's first 3 years, April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024. Explores grantees' progress in building organizational capacity, community and educational events, and professional trainings, among other measures. -- Indian Health Service https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26000 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:08:10 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RHRC_DBAPR2025_Woolcock.pdf Report explores the differences in rates of clinicians with DEA waivers to prescribe buprenorphine in 2022 in rural versus urban counties. Highlights the rural gaps in access to buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder prior to the elimination of the DEA waiver requirement in 2023. Provides rural, urban, and regional comparisons. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25414 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:35:20 -0500 https://www.samhsa.gov/communities/rural-behavioral-health Highlights the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) grants and programs related to rural behavioral health treatment, workforce, community-based resources, prevention strategies, and program technical assistance. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25276 Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:44:22 -0500 https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/80100760ee84168f3fbc1dd56184c121/implementation-mobile-medication-units.pdf Provides a brief overview of the development of policy regarding the approval of mobile medication units (MMUs) operated by opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Presents findings from an environmental scan and key informant interviews regarding MMU implementation. Discusses barriers to establishing, sustaining, and expanding MMU services. Describes opportunities to increase access to methadone in underserved communities. Includes rural references throughout. -- HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24971 Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:52:19 -0600 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-024-00628-4 Examines the factors related to buprenorphine prescriptions to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and the impacts of the federal DATA waiver to increase provider capacity. Utilizes multiple data sources to describe medication-assisted treatment (MAT) capacity, access, barriers, availability of MAT, and service area need in rural areas. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24833 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:36 -0600 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-024-20682-8 Presents a study on substance use disorder (SUD) stigma in rural communities by comparing the results from a 2020 study to a survey conducted in 2023. Explores rural perceptions in SUD as a legitimate illness and discusses perceptions of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and SUD treatment and recovery. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24814 Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:45:52 -0600