Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources

Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine and Psychostimulants with Abuse Potential — United States, 2003–2017
Reports age-adjusted death rates in 2016 and 2017 for cocaine and psychostimulants, with information by age group, sex, race/ethnicity, urbanization level, U.S. Census region, and state. Includes data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and non-core counties. Provides national-level trend data for 2003-2017 on deaths related to these substances that also involved opioids and that did not involve opioids.
Author(s): Mbabazi Kariisa, Lawrence Scholl, Nana Wilson, Puja Seth, Brooke Hoots
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 68(17), 388-395
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Collaborative Models for Medication-Assisted Treatment: Key Elements of Vermont's Hub-and Spoke System
Describes the collaborative effort of three health-related organizations who partnered to develop and implement a medication assisted therapy (MAT) treatment practice using the hub and spoke model. This system was supported through a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Home State Plan amendment for Vermont, a mostly rural state, to modify their current MAT services to increase access to addiction treatment, integrate health and addictions care, improve health outcomes, and promote recovery.
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP)
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Using Rural–Urban Continuum Codes (RUCCS) to Examine Alcohol-Related Motor Vehicle Crash Injury and Enforcement in New York State
Compares rates of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents in New York State by rural-urban continuum codes (RUCCs). Uses multiple county-level data sources and looks at demographic information, such as age, household income, and RUCC of the location.
Author(s): Joyce C. Pressley, Leah M. Hines, Michael J. Bauer, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(8), 1346
Date: 04/2019
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The Opioid Prescribing Rate and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: State and County Level Analysis
Study highlights the relationship between grandparents raising children and the opioid crisis. Compares American Community Survey data from 2012-2016 with CDC 2016 Opioid Prescribing data. The State and County Level Analysis Poster presents a summary of the study, as well as state and county-level data and maps.
Additional links: State and County Level Analysis Poster
Author(s): Lydia Anderson
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Wild . . . But Not So Wonderful - Responding to Injection Drug Use in West Virginia
Discusses the progress of the opioid crisis, including co-occurring diseases, in West Virginia. Explores barriers and limitations to treatment, stigma, and harm reduction programs. Highlights considerations for policymakers.
Author(s): Robin A. Pollini
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 109(3), 354–355
Date: 03/2019
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Cigarette Smoking Rates among Veterans: Association with Rurality and Psychiatric Disorders
Details a study on rates of smoking among Iraq and Afghanistan era veterans in rural and urban areas. Looks at co-occurring mental health disorders and presents data by demographic factors, such as sex, ethnicity, and employment, among others.
Author(s): Lara N. Coughlin, Sarah M. Wilson, Meredith C. Erwin, et al.
Citation: Addictive Behaviors, 90, 119-123
Date: 03/2019
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Controlled Substance Use Among Psychiatric Patients in a Rural North Carolina Emergency Department
Features a study on common substances used by patients entering rural emergency departments (EDs) seeking mental health treatment. Focuses on a single ED in North Carolina and presents data by race, sex, and substance used.
Author(s): Elizabeth Gignac, Godwin Y. Dogbey, Gregory Capece, et al.
Citation: Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health, 20(2), 419-425
Date: 03/2019
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Identifying Areas with Disproportionate Local Health Department Services Relative to Opioid Overdose, HIV and Hepatitis C Diagnosis Rates: A Study of Rural Illinois
Highlights a study on access to opioid use disorder treatment services provided by local health departments in rural Illinois. Looks at services available, as well as county rates of opioid overdoses, HIV, and hepatitis C diagnosis rates.
Author(s): Colleen McLuckie, Mai T. Pho, Kaitlin Ellis, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6), 989
Date: 03/2019
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Inpatient Stays Involving Mental and Substance Use Disorders, 2016
Examines inpatient stays involving mental and substance use disorders at community hospitals among patients 5 years old or older. Provides data on costs, length of stay, discharge status, patient demographics, primary expected payer, and hospital region. Table 2 includes data by location of patient residence for rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Pamela L. Owens, Kathryn R. Fingar, Kimberly W. McDermott, Pradip K. Muhuri, Kevin C. Heslin
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives
Reports on the findings from an expert committee regarding the evidence behind using medications to treat opioid use disorder, as well as issues with accessing medication-based treatment. Chapter 3 includes a section focusing on rural populations and chapter 5 addresses rural/urban differences in the number of healthcare providers waivered to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid-use disorder.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Committee on Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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