Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas.
Evaluation of the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model: Fourth Annual Report (Implementation Year 3)
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.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Westat
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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.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Westat
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The Opioid Epidemic in Rural Communities: Can Telehealth Increase Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder and Offset Barriers to Care?
Examines the impact of telehealth on access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. Utilizes data from the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program's (RCORP) consortia, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) to analyze access to MOUD and rates of telehealth use for rural consortia. Discusses potential barriers and factors impacting telehealth implementation for SUD and OUD care.
Author(s): Kathleen Meyers, Shannon Herman, Heather Schuler, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 271, 112628
Date: 06/2025
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Examines the impact of telehealth on access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. Utilizes data from the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program's (RCORP) consortia, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) to analyze access to MOUD and rates of telehealth use for rural consortia. Discusses potential barriers and factors impacting telehealth implementation for SUD and OUD care.
Author(s): Kathleen Meyers, Shannon Herman, Heather Schuler, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 271, 112628
Date: 06/2025
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Continuity of Pain Clinic Care among Rural and Urban Veterans
Presents a study exploring the differences in continuity of pain care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for rural and urban veterans. Breaks down data by age, sex, pain severity, and behavioral health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Rena E. Courtney, Jenna L. Adamowicz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70031
Date: 05/2025
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Presents a study exploring the differences in continuity of pain care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for rural and urban veterans. Breaks down data by age, sex, pain severity, and behavioral health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Rena E. Courtney, Jenna L. Adamowicz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70031
Date: 05/2025
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Federal and State Reimbursement for Youth Behavioral Health Services
Report details Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of behavioral health services for rural people under 21 years of age. Breaks down reimbursement eligibility for behavioral health providers in all 50 states and discusses barriers to access in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Report details Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of behavioral health services for rural people under 21 years of age. Breaks down reimbursement eligibility for behavioral health providers in all 50 states and discusses barriers to access in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Medicare Beneficiary Receipt of Methadone by Drive Time to Opioid Treatment Programs
Examines availability of methadone at opioid treatment programs for Medicare beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with an opioid use disorder. Utilizes data from 640,706 Medicare beneficiaries and analyzes their respective drive time to a treatment facility as well as receipt of methadone treatment. Includes U.S. map showing locations of opioid treatment programs and rural versus urban comparisons of patient drive times.
Author(s): Jonathan Cantor, Helin G. Hernandez, Aaron Kofner, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(4)
Date: 04/2025
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Examines availability of methadone at opioid treatment programs for Medicare beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with an opioid use disorder. Utilizes data from 640,706 Medicare beneficiaries and analyzes their respective drive time to a treatment facility as well as receipt of methadone treatment. Includes U.S. map showing locations of opioid treatment programs and rural versus urban comparisons of patient drive times.
Author(s): Jonathan Cantor, Helin G. Hernandez, Aaron Kofner, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(4)
Date: 04/2025
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Different Forms of Stigma and Rural Primary Care Professionals' Willingness to Prescribe Buprenorphine
Presents a study exploring the different types of stigma affecting buprenorphine and other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) prescribing rates in rural primary care settings. Details perceived stigmas around MOUD by providers, such as the fear of being harmed by patients, fear of their professional image being harmed, and the fear of the medications harming their patients.
Author(s): Berkeley Franz, Lindsay Y. Dhanani, Sean Bogart, et al.
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 171, 209633
Date: 04/2025
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Presents a study exploring the different types of stigma affecting buprenorphine and other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) prescribing rates in rural primary care settings. Details perceived stigmas around MOUD by providers, such as the fear of being harmed by patients, fear of their professional image being harmed, and the fear of the medications harming their patients.
Author(s): Berkeley Franz, Lindsay Y. Dhanani, Sean Bogart, et al.
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 171, 209633
Date: 04/2025
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Ethics for Behavioral Health Professionals in Rural Areas
Webinar recording discussing ethics as it relates to the delivery of behavioral healthcare services in rural areas. Provides guidance for behavioral health professionals on shaping care through ethical decision-making models and highlights topics relevant to rural communities.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network
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Webinar recording discussing ethics as it relates to the delivery of behavioral healthcare services in rural areas. Provides guidance for behavioral health professionals on shaping care through ethical decision-making models and highlights topics relevant to rural communities.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network
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The Importance of Contextually Specific Support Relationships in Implementing Programs to Link People to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment During Reentry from County Jails
A case study that examines an intervention that links people in county jails to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs. Analyzes 3 rural and 2 urban county jails in Kentucky and the related program implementation, reach, and sustainability.
Author(s): Margaret McGladrey, Marisa Booty, Susannah Stitzer, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice volume 13, 20
Date: 03/2025
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A case study that examines an intervention that links people in county jails to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs. Analyzes 3 rural and 2 urban county jails in Kentucky and the related program implementation, reach, and sustainability.
Author(s): Margaret McGladrey, Marisa Booty, Susannah Stitzer, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice volume 13, 20
Date: 03/2025
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Beliefs of US Chiefs of Police about Substance Use Disorder, Fentanyl Exposure, Overdose Response, and Use of Discretion: Results from a National Survey
Examines police chief perceptions regarding substance use. Focuses on issues such as discretion when making arrests, overdose response, risks of fentanyl exposure, de-escalation practices, harmful drugs in their communities, and buprenorphine obtained via illicit means. Analyzes survey data from 276 police chiefs regarding their knowledge and attitudes on addiction and policing, with breakdowns according to their region, urbanicity, and experience.
Author(s): Amelia Bailey, Barbara Andraka-Christou, Saba Rouhani, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice, 13, 13
Date: 03/2025
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Examines police chief perceptions regarding substance use. Focuses on issues such as discretion when making arrests, overdose response, risks of fentanyl exposure, de-escalation practices, harmful drugs in their communities, and buprenorphine obtained via illicit means. Analyzes survey data from 276 police chiefs regarding their knowledge and attitudes on addiction and policing, with breakdowns according to their region, urbanicity, and experience.
Author(s): Amelia Bailey, Barbara Andraka-Christou, Saba Rouhani, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice, 13, 13
Date: 03/2025
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Disparities in Substance Use Disorder Telehealth Services
Results of a study examining telehealth's association with changes in disparities in substance use disorder telehealth utilization across payers and rurality, from 2019-2023. Features statistics including breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Lauryn Saxe Walker, Manying Cui, Jonathan Cantor, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(2), e2459606
Date: 02/2025
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Results of a study examining telehealth's association with changes in disparities in substance use disorder telehealth utilization across payers and rurality, from 2019-2023. Features statistics including breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Lauryn Saxe Walker, Manying Cui, Jonathan Cantor, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(2), e2459606
Date: 02/2025
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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: 7/30/2025