Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas.

Rural–Urban Differences in Out-of-Network Treatment Initiation and Engagement Rates for Substance Use Disorders
Explores disparities in access to substance use disorder treatments among privately insured individuals in rural and urban areas between 2016-2018. Compares rates of initial and ongoing treatment for alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and other drug use disorders overall and from out-of-network providers for urban and rural patients.
Author(s): Eli Raver, Sheldon M. Retchin, Yiting Li, Andrew D. Carlo, Wendy Y. Xu
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
view details
Cannabis Donation as a Harm Reduction Strategy: A Case Study
Analyzes harm reduction practices to address overdose mortality rates in the U.S. by exploring the outcomes of a cannabis donation program operated in rural Michigan. Examines the program's operational logistics, feasibility, sales and donation statistics, potential benefits, and impacts of substituting cannabis in place of other substances.
Author(s): Sarah E. Duhart Clarke, Grant Victor, Pamela Lynch, Leslie W. Suen, Bradley Ray
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 58
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
view details
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 gender, race, 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
Type: Document
view details
Rural Communities Opioids Response Program (RCORP)
Highlights a review of the RCORP-TA program. Features a number of reports and briefs exploring the efficacy and perception of the technical assistance provided RCORP grantees from March, 2022 to September, 2023 by the RCORP-TA program.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
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
Type: Document
view details
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
Type: Document
view details
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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details
Assessment of Substance Use Disorder Stigma and Strategies for Addressing Stigma in Rural Areas
January 31, 2024 webinar recording sharing results from the National Report on Rural Substance Use Disorder Stigma and Treatment Needs and discussing strategies for addressing stigma in rural areas. Includes transcript.
Additional links: Slide Presentation
Date: 01/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
view details
Association of Spatial Proximity to Fixed-Site Syringe Services Programs with HCV Serostatus and Injection Equipment Sharing Practices Among People Who Inject Drugs in Rural New England, United States
Examines the correlation of proximity to a syringe services program (SSP) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in rural areas of the northeastern United States. Utilizes 2018-2019 data to analyze people who inject drugs (PWID) and their demographic characteristics, drug usage, and distance to the nearest fixed-site SSP.
Author(s): Eric Romo, Thomas J. Stopka, Bill M. Jesdale, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 23
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
view details
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
Type: Presentation Slides
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details

Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 4/10/2024