Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas.
Through the Diamond Threshold: A Community-based Psycho-educational Group Training Program for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders among American Indians
Discusses an intervention providing cultural competency training for providers of substance use disorder treatment in American Indian communities. Features a literature review outlining the training's framework.
Author(s): Rockey R. Robbins, Bryan G. Stare, Brittany M. Riggin
Citation: American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 26(1), 79-105
Date: 2019
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Discusses an intervention providing cultural competency training for providers of substance use disorder treatment in American Indian communities. Features a literature review outlining the training's framework.
Author(s): Rockey R. Robbins, Bryan G. Stare, Brittany M. Riggin
Citation: American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 26(1), 79-105
Date: 2019
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Opioid Epidemic in the United States: Empirical Trends, and A Literature Review of Social Determinants and Epidemiological, Pain Management, and Treatment Patterns
Analyzes trends in U.S. drug overdose mortality by key social determinants. Reports findings from a selective review of the literature on how the opioid crisis is impacting different segments of the population, including rural residents.
Author(s): Gopal K. Singh, Isaac E. Kim, Mehrete Girmay, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS, 8(2), 89-100
Date: 2019
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Analyzes trends in U.S. drug overdose mortality by key social determinants. Reports findings from a selective review of the literature on how the opioid crisis is impacting different segments of the population, including rural residents.
Author(s): Gopal K. Singh, Isaac E. Kim, Mehrete Girmay, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS, 8(2), 89-100
Date: 2019
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Comparing Buprenorphine-Prescribing Physicians Across Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Areas in the United States
Highlights a study comparing buprenorphine prescribing rates between metro and nonmetro areas. Looks at physician treatment practices, characteristics, and practice location.
Author(s): Lewei (Allison) Lin, Hannah K. Knudsen
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 17(3), 212-220
Date: 2019
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Highlights a study comparing buprenorphine prescribing rates between metro and nonmetro areas. Looks at physician treatment practices, characteristics, and practice location.
Author(s): Lewei (Allison) Lin, Hannah K. Knudsen
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 17(3), 212-220
Date: 2019
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The Ecology of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Summarizes results from an 8-state study of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a drug withdrawal condition that may occur in newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Discusses correlations to rurality, unemployment rates, poverty, and the supply of healthcare providers, and identifies potential policy interventions that could help. For interactive, county-level data, see the Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool based on study findings.
Additional links: Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Summarizes results from an 8-state study of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a drug withdrawal condition that may occur in newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Discusses correlations to rurality, unemployment rates, poverty, and the supply of healthcare providers, and identifies potential policy interventions that could help. For interactive, county-level data, see the Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool based on study findings.
Additional links: Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Rural and Appalachian Disparities in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Incidence and Access to Opioid Abuse Treatment
Examines the disparity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) prevalence in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky and in comparison to national data. Considers why data from this study may or may not be useful in identifying regional and national trends. Also discusses the challenges of providing substance abuse treatment to pregnant women and Appalachian populations.
Author(s): Joshua D. Brown, Amie J. Goodin, Jeffrey C. Talbert
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 6-13
Date: 12/2018
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Examines the disparity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) prevalence in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky and in comparison to national data. Considers why data from this study may or may not be useful in identifying regional and national trends. Also discusses the challenges of providing substance abuse treatment to pregnant women and Appalachian populations.
Author(s): Joshua D. Brown, Amie J. Goodin, Jeffrey C. Talbert
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 6-13
Date: 12/2018
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Trend Differences in Men and Women in Rural and Urban U.S. Settings
Highlights a study on differences in rates of smoking between men and women in rural and urban areas across the U.S. Details age, income, and several other indicators that may contribute to rates of smoking.
Author(s): A. Cepeda-Benito, N.J. Doogan, R. Redner, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 117, 69-75
Date: 12/2018
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Highlights a study on differences in rates of smoking between men and women in rural and urban areas across the U.S. Details age, income, and several other indicators that may contribute to rates of smoking.
Author(s): A. Cepeda-Benito, N.J. Doogan, R. Redner, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 117, 69-75
Date: 12/2018
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Pandora's Pill Bottle - 1: Opioids in Rural America
Presents a series of articles on the effect the opioid crisis has had on rural agricultural areas. Details the stories of rural people whose lives have been affected by opioids.
Additional links: Pandora's Pill Bottle - 2: How Opioids Become a Problem, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 3: Impact of Opioids, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 4: Battling Opioids at Ground Level, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 5: A Life of Hope Lost to Opioid Addiction, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 6: What Needs to be Done About Opioids?, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 7: Actionable Insights for Local Communities Against Opioid Abuse
Author(s): Todd Neeley
Date: 12/2018
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Presents a series of articles on the effect the opioid crisis has had on rural agricultural areas. Details the stories of rural people whose lives have been affected by opioids.
Additional links: Pandora's Pill Bottle - 2: How Opioids Become a Problem, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 3: Impact of Opioids, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 4: Battling Opioids at Ground Level, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 5: A Life of Hope Lost to Opioid Addiction, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 6: What Needs to be Done About Opioids?, Pandora's Pill Bottle - 7: Actionable Insights for Local Communities Against Opioid Abuse
Author(s): Todd Neeley
Date: 12/2018
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Red Flags and Warning Signs Ignored: Opioid Distribution and Enforcement Concerns in West Virginia
Report highlights a U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce investigation into the opioid crisis in West Virginia. Examines the policies of the various drug distribution companies who shipped opioids into the state, as well as the effectiveness of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) oversight.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Report highlights a U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce investigation into the opioid crisis in West Virginia. Examines the policies of the various drug distribution companies who shipped opioids into the state, as well as the effectiveness of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) oversight.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act
Summarizes Title VII and VIII provisions in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Addresses provisions affecting access to opioid abuse treatment and providers, data collection, child welfare, the Department of Justice, substance abuse prevention, and more. Sections highlighting rural authorize grants for first responder training, data collection on adverse childhood experiences, recovery support services, and reauthorization of the State and Tribal Response to the Opioid Abuse Crisis grant program with technical assistance for rural and underserved communities.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Summarizes Title VII and VIII provisions in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Addresses provisions affecting access to opioid abuse treatment and providers, data collection, child welfare, the Department of Justice, substance abuse prevention, and more. Sections highlighting rural authorize grants for first responder training, data collection on adverse childhood experiences, recovery support services, and reauthorization of the State and Tribal Response to the Opioid Abuse Crisis grant program with technical assistance for rural and underserved communities.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Talking about Hepatitis C: FAQs from Young Adults who Inject Drugs
Highlights some common questions posed by rural young adults at high risk of hepatitis C (HCV) infection due to injectable drug use. Breaks down demographic data by sex and education among other measures.
Author(s): Lauren L. Knight, Katherine Wagner, Yuridia Leyva, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 19(6), 815-822
Date: 11/2018
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Highlights some common questions posed by rural young adults at high risk of hepatitis C (HCV) infection due to injectable drug use. Breaks down demographic data by sex and education among other measures.
Author(s): Lauren L. Knight, Katherine Wagner, Yuridia Leyva, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 19(6), 815-822
Date: 11/2018
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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: 5/7/2025