Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas.
Suicide and Resilience in Rural Montana
Discusses suicide and resilience-based prevention in rural Montana. Highlights a case study and state-wide mental health and substance use data.
Author(s): Tara Rava Zolnikov
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 109(9), 1149
Date: 09/2019
view details
Discusses suicide and resilience-based prevention in rural Montana. Highlights a case study and state-wide mental health and substance use data.
Author(s): Tara Rava Zolnikov
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 109(9), 1149
Date: 09/2019
view details
Brief Report: Sex Differences in Substance Use, Mental Health, and Impaired Driving Among Rural DUI Offenders
Highlights a study exploring the rates of rural DUI offenders by sex. Details the substance use, mental health, and impaired driving histories of study participants by sex via self-reported data.
Author(s): J. Matthew Webster, Michele Staton, Megan F. Dickson
Citation: The American Journal on Addictions, 28(5), 405-408
Date: 09/2019
view details
Highlights a study exploring the rates of rural DUI offenders by sex. Details the substance use, mental health, and impaired driving histories of study participants by sex via self-reported data.
Author(s): J. Matthew Webster, Michele Staton, Megan F. Dickson
Citation: The American Journal on Addictions, 28(5), 405-408
Date: 09/2019
view details
The Providers
Collection of learning resources related to The Providers, a film which follows 3 healthcare providers employed at a group of safety-net clinics in northern New Mexico. Explores the physician shortage, health disparities, and the opioid epidemic in rural America. Geared toward high school and college students.
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: PBS Learning Media
view details
Collection of learning resources related to The Providers, a film which follows 3 healthcare providers employed at a group of safety-net clinics in northern New Mexico. Explores the physician shortage, health disparities, and the opioid epidemic in rural America. Geared toward high school and college students.
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: PBS Learning Media
view details
State Strategies to Address Opioid Use Disorder Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Infants Prenatally Exposed to Substances, Including Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Identifies state strategies to improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder and infants prenatally exposed to substances, including opioids. Discusses strategies focused on access to and coordination of quality services, including approaches such as telemedicine that are useful in rural areas. Also discusses strategies related to provider awareness and training and other topics.
Author(s): Charlan D. Kroelinger, Marion E. Rice, Shanna Cox, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 68(36), 777-783
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Identifies state strategies to improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder and infants prenatally exposed to substances, including opioids. Discusses strategies focused on access to and coordination of quality services, including approaches such as telemedicine that are useful in rural areas. Also discusses strategies related to provider awareness and training and other topics.
Author(s): Charlan D. Kroelinger, Marion E. Rice, Shanna Cox, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 68(36), 777-783
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Dismantling Buprenorphine Policy Can Provide More Comprehensive Addiction Treatment
Commentary focused on the impact buprenorphine prescribing policy has on access to opioid addiction treatment. Discusses the lack of providers waivered to prescribe buprenorphine in rural areas. Includes a map showing counties that lack providers who can prescribe medications for opioid use disorder.
Author(s): Alex E. Woodruff, Mary Tomanovich, Leo Beletsky, et al.
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
view details
Commentary focused on the impact buprenorphine prescribing policy has on access to opioid addiction treatment. Discusses the lack of providers waivered to prescribe buprenorphine in rural areas. Includes a map showing counties that lack providers who can prescribe medications for opioid use disorder.
Author(s): Alex E. Woodruff, Mary Tomanovich, Leo Beletsky, et al.
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
view details
Disparities in Rural Tobacco Use, Smoke-Free Policies, and Tobacco Taxes
Highlights tobacco-related disparities in rural communities such as the prevalence of second-hand smoke, smoke free policies, and taxes on tobacco products. Discusses cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, tobacco industry influence, and best practices for rural communities.
Author(s): Kelly Buettner-Schmidt, Donald R. Miller, Brody Maack
Citation: Western Journal of Nursing Research, 41(8), 1184-1202
Date: 08/2019
view details
Highlights tobacco-related disparities in rural communities such as the prevalence of second-hand smoke, smoke free policies, and taxes on tobacco products. Discusses cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, tobacco industry influence, and best practices for rural communities.
Author(s): Kelly Buettner-Schmidt, Donald R. Miller, Brody Maack
Citation: Western Journal of Nursing Research, 41(8), 1184-1202
Date: 08/2019
view details
Factors that Influence Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment
Results of a study examining factors that influence access to medication-assisted treatment and substance use disorder treatment, including rural location, stigma, shortage of providers, and insurance coverage. Uses data from an electronic survey distributed to 59 State Opioid Treatment Authorities or Single State Authorities in the spring of 2019.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Dana Foney, Shannon Mace
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organizations: National Council for Mental Wellbeing, University of Michigan Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
view details
Results of a study examining factors that influence access to medication-assisted treatment and substance use disorder treatment, including rural location, stigma, shortage of providers, and insurance coverage. Uses data from an electronic survey distributed to 59 State Opioid Treatment Authorities or Single State Authorities in the spring of 2019.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Dana Foney, Shannon Mace
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organizations: National Council for Mental Wellbeing, University of Michigan Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
view details
Evidence Brief: Barriers and Facilitators to Use of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Report details an analysis of barriers and facilitators to administering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) that are applicable to the Veterans Health Administration. Highlights a synthesis of data extracted from a number of selected studies from 2014-2019, as well as VA data from 2006-2019. Includes data focusing on rural areas.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
view details
Report details an analysis of barriers and facilitators to administering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) that are applicable to the Veterans Health Administration. Highlights a synthesis of data extracted from a number of selected studies from 2014-2019, as well as VA data from 2006-2019. Includes data focusing on rural areas.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
view details
Life-Saving Naloxone from Pharmacies
Describes the role naloxone plays in reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Discusses the need for greater access to naloxone, particularly in rural areas, and highlights trends in opioid and naloxone prescribing. Includes links to related CDC resources.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Describes the role naloxone plays in reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Discusses the need for greater access to naloxone, particularly in rural areas, and highlights trends in opioid and naloxone prescribing. Includes links to related CDC resources.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Effectiveness of Peer-Delivered Trauma Treatment in a Rural Community: A Randomized Non-inferiority Trial
Discusses a study on the effectiveness of a peer-provided treatment of PTSD and substance use disorder compared to clinician-provided treatment in a rural county in a Southwestern state. Breaks down data by age and diagnosis, among other factors.
Author(s): Annette S. Crisanti, Cristina Murray-Krezan, Jessica Reno, Cynthia Killough
Citation: Community Mental Health Journal, 55(7), 1125–1134
Date: 07/2019
view details
Discusses a study on the effectiveness of a peer-provided treatment of PTSD and substance use disorder compared to clinician-provided treatment in a rural county in a Southwestern state. Breaks down data by age and diagnosis, among other factors.
Author(s): Annette S. Crisanti, Cristina Murray-Krezan, Jessica Reno, Cynthia Killough
Citation: Community Mental Health Journal, 55(7), 1125–1134
Date: 07/2019
view details
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: 9/16/2025