Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas.
Urban–Rural Disparities in Deaths of Despair: A County-Level Analysis 2004–2016 in the U.S.
Presents a study exploring the rural-urban differences in drug, alcohol, and suicide mortality rates across the country from 2004 to 2016. Breaks down data by demographic factors, such as sex, employment, and health insurance, among other measures.
Author(s): Jong Hyung Lee, David C. Wheeler, Emily B. Zimmerman, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(2), 149-156
Date: 02/2023
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Presents a study exploring the rural-urban differences in drug, alcohol, and suicide mortality rates across the country from 2004 to 2016. Breaks down data by demographic factors, such as sex, employment, and health insurance, among other measures.
Author(s): Jong Hyung Lee, David C. Wheeler, Emily B. Zimmerman, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(2), 149-156
Date: 02/2023
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How One New Mexico County is Taking a Community-Wide Approach to Treating Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders
Features a McKinley County, New Mexico community consortium that takes a holistic approach to recovery. Describes the growth of the collaboration over time and the range of local organizations involved.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features a McKinley County, New Mexico community consortium that takes a holistic approach to recovery. Describes the growth of the collaboration over time and the range of local organizations involved.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Strategies to Recruit Rural Primary Care Providers to Implement a Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Focused Integrated Care Model
Highlights a study on an intervention aimed at addressing systemic barriers to accessing medications for opioid used disorder (MOUD) for rural patients via an integrated care model. Breaks down the intervention structure and discusses project replication and sustainability.
Author(s): Renee M. Cloutier, Evan S. Cole, Brianna L. McDonough, et al.
Citation: Implementation Research and Practice, 4, 1-12
Date: 01/2023
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Highlights a study on an intervention aimed at addressing systemic barriers to accessing medications for opioid used disorder (MOUD) for rural patients via an integrated care model. Breaks down the intervention structure and discusses project replication and sustainability.
Author(s): Renee M. Cloutier, Evan S. Cole, Brianna L. McDonough, et al.
Citation: Implementation Research and Practice, 4, 1-12
Date: 01/2023
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HCV Serostatus and Injection Sharing Practices Among Those Who Obtain Syringes From Pharmacies and Directly and Indirectly From Syringe Services Programs in Rural New England
Explores the effect that syringe services programs (SSPs) have on hepatitis C (HCV) infection rates in rural people who inject drugs (PWID). Breaks down data by user characteristics, such as age, employment, and syringe sharing practices, among others.
Author(s): Eric Romo, Abby E. Rudolph, Thomas J. Stopka, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 18
Date: 01/2023
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Explores the effect that syringe services programs (SSPs) have on hepatitis C (HCV) infection rates in rural people who inject drugs (PWID). Breaks down data by user characteristics, such as age, employment, and syringe sharing practices, among others.
Author(s): Eric Romo, Abby E. Rudolph, Thomas J. Stopka, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 18
Date: 01/2023
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Over the Hills and Through the Hollers: How One Program is Assisting Residents of Appalachia with Opioid Use Recovery
Results of a study evaluating the Kentucky Access to Recovery Program (KATR), which provides services to low-income adults recovering from opioid addiction in several rural eastern Kentucky counties. Examines the impact of KATR on service recipients' access to recovery services and supports.
Author(s): Aubrey E. Jones, Jayme E. Walters, Aaron R. Brown
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 4(3), 71-86
Date: 01/2023
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Results of a study evaluating the Kentucky Access to Recovery Program (KATR), which provides services to low-income adults recovering from opioid addiction in several rural eastern Kentucky counties. Examines the impact of KATR on service recipients' access to recovery services and supports.
Author(s): Aubrey E. Jones, Jayme E. Walters, Aaron R. Brown
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 4(3), 71-86
Date: 01/2023
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Trends and Characteristics of Buprenorphine-Involved Overdose Deaths Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Details a study evaluating the rates of buprenorphine-involved overdose deaths before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic when prescribing regulations were loosened. Compares overdose mortality rates involving buprenorphine in 2019 and 2021 and breaks down data by a number of demographic factors, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Lauren J. Tanz, Christopher M. Jones, Nicole L. Davis, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(1), e2251856
Date: 01/2023
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Details a study evaluating the rates of buprenorphine-involved overdose deaths before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic when prescribing regulations were loosened. Compares overdose mortality rates involving buprenorphine in 2019 and 2021 and breaks down data by a number of demographic factors, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Lauren J. Tanz, Christopher M. Jones, Nicole L. Davis, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(1), e2251856
Date: 01/2023
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2020 Rural Opioid Overdose Mortality
Highlights the rate of rural opioid overdose mortality in 2020 for several northern New England states and compares it to the national rate. Breaks down rates based on substances used as well.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Highlights the rate of rural opioid overdose mortality in 2020 for several northern New England states and compares it to the national rate. Breaks down rates based on substances used as well.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Telemedicine Use and Quality of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Results of a study of 1,768 clinicians treating 11,801 patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), to examine the association between telemedicine adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic and indicators of OUD treatment quality. Explores medications for OUD (MOUD) prescribing and OUD-related clinical events, including drug overdose, inpatient detoxification, and rehabilitation center stay. Features statistics including patient and clinician characteristics, with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, and rural location.
Author(s): Ruth Hailu, Ateev Mehrotra, Haiden A. Huskamp, Alisa B. Busch, Michael L. Barnett
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(1)
Date: 01/2023
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Results of a study of 1,768 clinicians treating 11,801 patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), to examine the association between telemedicine adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic and indicators of OUD treatment quality. Explores medications for OUD (MOUD) prescribing and OUD-related clinical events, including drug overdose, inpatient detoxification, and rehabilitation center stay. Features statistics including patient and clinician characteristics, with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, and rural location.
Author(s): Ruth Hailu, Ateev Mehrotra, Haiden A. Huskamp, Alisa B. Busch, Michael L. Barnett
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(1)
Date: 01/2023
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Rural Resource Guide: Affordable Housing and Recovery in Rural Communities
Provides an overview on federal regulations related to housing applicants with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or criminal charges. Reports on housing programs provided by Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Discusses affordable housing in rural areas as a necessary component in SUD recovery.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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Provides an overview on federal regulations related to housing applicants with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or criminal charges. Reports on housing programs provided by Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Discusses affordable housing in rural areas as a necessary component in SUD recovery.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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Filling the Gaps in the Behavioral Health Workforce
Discusses the shortage of licensed behavioral health workers in rural and underserved communities. Explores the roles of behavioral health support specialists and community-initiated care to support licensed behavioral health professionals. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the roles of the nonclinical workforce.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Discusses the shortage of licensed behavioral health workers in rural and underserved communities. Explores the roles of behavioral health support specialists and community-initiated care to support licensed behavioral health professionals. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the roles of the nonclinical workforce.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
- Alcohol use
- Behavioral health
- Behavioral health workforce
- Illicit drug use
- Prescription drug misuse
- Substance use and misuse
- Tobacco use
Last Updated: 4/29/2025