Transportation Considerations for SUD Programs

Rural communities face greater transportation barriers than urban communities, including fewer public transportation options, which can make accessing transportation services difficult. Due to shortages of behavioral health providers and substance use treatment facilities in rural areas, patients often travel great distances, sometimes to neighboring counties, to access services. A Yale School of Medicine study found that individuals residing in rural counties experience longer transportation time to opioid treatment programs than residents in urban counties.

Availability of transportation support services may help implementation of and retention in rural substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs. Travel time to SUD treatment may have serious implications for treatment and recovery. Research shows patients with longer travel times to treatment centers were less likely to continue with follow up treatment after being discharged from a residential facility. Additionally, people who need to seek care may not have a driver's license or may not be able to transport themselves to treatment.

Telehealth can be an effective way to increase the availability of SUD services in rural areas with limited transportation options. Telehealth can be used for behavioral health screening and assessments, treatments, case management, recovery support, and crisis services. However, there are federal and state restrictions on telehealth services, such as prescribing controlled substances virtually. For example, some states require an in-person encounter between patient and provider before allowing a prescription.

For additional information about providing transportation services in rural communities, see the Rural Transportation Toolkit.

Resources to Learn More

Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Document
Reviews how telehealth can be used to provide behavioral health services, including evidence-based recommendations and examples.
Organization(s): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Date: 2021