Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources

Exploring the Link between Altitude of Residence and Smoking Patterns in the United States
Presents a study exploring the relationship between altitude and rates of smoking. Features a breakdown of the data by demographic characteristics, such as sex and rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Danielle Jeanne-Marie Boxer, Young-Hoon Sung, Nicolas A. Nunez, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 226
Date: 02/2024
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Testing the Feasibility of the QuitAid Smoking Cessation Intervention in a Randomized Factorial Design in an Independent, Rural Community Pharmacy
Examines a pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation intervention in rural Appalachia. Analyzes an ask-advise-connect model conducted with 24 adult smokers between September and November 2021, observing recruitment, retention, treatment adherence, and fidelity. Includes data on participant demographics, participant satisfaction, and pharmacist perceptions.
Author(s): Melissa A. Little, Taylor Reid, Matthew Moncrief, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(41)
Date: 02/2024
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The Association of Alcohol Use and Heavy Drinking with Subsequent Handgun Carrying among Youth from Rural Areas
Presents a study on the correlation between alcohol use and handgun carrying among rural youth. Examines past alcohol use by rural youth and young adults aged 12-26 on a scale of never used, used but not heavily, or used heavily. Breaks down data by participant characteristics, such as rebelliousness, family conflict, and education, among other factors.
Author(s): Alice M. Ellyson, Julia P. Schleimer, Kimberly Dalve, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(1), 181–191
Date: 01/2024
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Medicaid Coverage of Medications to Reverse Opioid Overdose and Treat Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders
Report discusses access to medications for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) via Medicaid. Highlights policies and regulations that effect access and details Medicaid coverage in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Features a discussion about rural access.
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Among the American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) Population Aged 12 or Older
Highlights data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health pertaining specifically to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) over the age of 12. Compares AI/AN rates of drug use and mental illness, as well as co-occurring disorders, to rates for the U.S. as a whole.
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Temporal Trends in Substance Use and Cardiovascular Disease–Related Mortality in the United States
Analyzes 636,572 death certificates to identify trends for both substance use and cardiovascular disease-related mortality between 1999 and 2019. Breaks down data by rurality, sex, type of substance use, and more. Includes state-level comparisons.
Author(s): Abdul Mannan Khan Minhas, Jakrin Kewcharoen, Michael E. Hall, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association 13(2)
Date: 01/2024
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The Dialogue: Rural and Remote Disaster Behavioral Health
Journal issue discusses the behavioral health needs and challenges during disasters in rural and remote communities. Highlights the mental health challenges that co-occur with disasters such as extreme heat, floods, droughts and other disasters in rural communities and details strategies for addressing them.
Citation: The Dialogue, 19(4)
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center
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Expanding Behavioral Health Care Workforce Participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace Plans
Report highlights barriers to obtaining behavioral health treatment on Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace plans. Discusses barriers specific to rural and tribal communities. Details behavioral workforce needs and makes policy recommendations.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder among Rural Populations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Highlights a study on the efficacy of telehealth-based treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) for rural populations. Draws patient data from 2020-2022 across 14 states and breaks down data by patient characteristics, such as insurance status, education, and rurality, among other measures. Explores retention in care and adherence over a 6-month treatment period.
Author(s): Marlene C. Lira, Cynthia Jimes, M. Justin Coffey
Citation: Telemedicine and e-Health, 29(12), 1890-1896
Date: 12/2023
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RCORP: Helping Meet Rural Needs
Video series featuring the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), a multi-year initiative that funds a range of grant programs to help rural communities treat and prevent opioid use disorder. RCORP grantees share how they have used this funding to address the needs of their communities.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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