Rural Health Research Gateway

Substance abuse

Publications

Listed by publication date. You can also view these publications alphabetically.

2008

  • Distribution of Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Across the Rural – Urban Continuum (Research & Policy Brief No. 35B)
    Author(s): Jennifer D. Lenardson, John A. Gale
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health disparities, Health services, Rural statistics and demographics, Substance abuse
    Date: 02 / 2008
    This Research & Policy Brief highlights findings from a recent study examining the distribution of substance abuse treatment facilities in rural and urban counties and identifying the type and intensity of services provided. Key findings include:
    • Access to substance abuse treatment is limited in rural areas by fewer treatment beds.
    • Less populated rural areas contain a small proportion of facilities offering a range of core services and varying levels of outpatient and intensive services.
    • Opiod treatment programs are nearly absent in rural areas.

2007

  • Distribution of Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Across the Rural – Urban Continuum
    Author(s): Jennifer D. Lenardson, John A. Gale
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health disparities, Health services, Rural statistics and demographics, Substance abuse
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 35
    Date: 10 / 2007
    Considering recent growth in substance abuse among rural populations and the documented scarcity of rural health resources, this study examines the distribution of substance abuse treatment services across the continuum of rural and urban counties, identifying the type and intensity of services provided. Using the 2004 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services linked to the 2003 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, we found few substance abuse treatment facilities operating outside of urban and rural adjacent areas and limited availability of intensive services across rural areas. This situation is particularly striking for opioid treatment programs, which are nearly absent in rural areas. The narrow range of services available in rural areas may preclude an individualized treatment approach and long-term follow-up recommended by professional organizations and other experts. The greater proportion of rural-based facilities accepting public payers and providing discounted care may reflect higher rates of uninsurance and underinsurance.
  • Substance Abuse Among Rural Youth: A Little Meth and a Lot of Booze
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children, Substance abuse
    Date: 06 / 2007
    Research and policy brief examining substance abuse among rural youth, with rural-urban comparisons methamphetamine, oxycontin, and alcohol abuse.

2006

  • Prevalence and Trends in Smoking: A National Rural Study
    Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson, Anthony Jerant, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health, Substance abuse
    Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(2), 112-118
    Date: 2006
    Reports the results of a study to estimate the prevalence of and recent trends in smoking among adults by type of rural location and by state.
  • PTSD and Substance Use: Unrecognized Sequelae of Bioterrorism in Primary Care Providers
    Author(s): Jennie C. I. Tsao, Aram Dobalian, Brenda A. Wiens, Julius A. Gylys, Art Clawson, Robert Brooks
    Research center: ORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Emergency preparedness, Mental health, Public health, Substance abuse
    Citation: Southern Medical Journal, 99(8), 817-822
    Date: 2006
    Reports the results of a study that looked at rural primary care providers' knowledge of likely mental disorders, their risk factors, and preferred treatment options following a public health emergency.
  • Problem Drinking: Rural and Urban Trends in America 1995/97 to 2003
    Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topic: Substance abuse
    Citation: Preventive Medicine, 43(2), 122-124
    Date: 2006
    Examines recent trends in heavy and binge drinking in urban counties and three types of rural counties.
  • Rural and Frontier Mental and Behavioral Health Care: Barriers, Effective Policy Strategies, Best Practices
    Author(s): Donald Sawyer, John Gale, David Lambert
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Frontier health, Mental health, Substance abuse, Telehealth
    Citation: Waite Park, MN: National Association of Rural Mental Health
    Date: 2006
    Discusses barriers to mental and behavioral health service delivery in rural America. Includes model programs and model policy strategies for rural mental and behavioral health care delivery. Also discusses the roles that telehealth and that the State Offices of Rural Health should play in service delivery.

2005

  • Early Alcohol Use, Rural Residence, and Adulthood Employment
    Author(s): Michael Mink, Jong-Yi Wang, Kevin J. Bennett, Charity G. Moore, M. Paige Powell, Janice C. Probst
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children, Substance abuse
    Date: 10 / 2005
    Findings indicate that drinking during youth and early adulthood was common in the early 1980's. Nearly half (47.6%) of respondents reported drinking before age 18, and 55.3% reported binge drinking. Drinking behaviors did not differ significantly between rural and urban residents, and rural youth surveyed in 1979-1983 were as likely as their urban counterparts to start drinking before the age of 18, binge drink before 18, and report that work or school was impacted by drinking. Executive summary available online.
  • Violence And Rural Teens: Teen Violence, Drug Use, And School-Based Prevention Services In Rural America
    Author(s): Michael D. Mink, Charity G. Moore, Andy Johnson, Janice C. Probst, Amy Martin
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children, Physical abuse and domestic violence, Substance abuse
    Date: 03 / 2005
    Describes a study which had three main purposes: (1) to explore the prevalence of violence-related exposures and drug use among rural teens, (2) to investigate the effects of race and gender on the risk of exposure to violence and drug use, and (3) to compare the policies and mental health care services of rural and urban schools. This study found no evidence to support the common assumption that rural youth are protected from exposure to violence. Rural teens are equally or more likely than suburban and urban teens to be exposed to violent activities, including weapons carrying, fighting, fear of violence, and suicide behaviors. Rural teens are at significantly greater risk of using cigarettes, chewing tobacco, crack/cocaine, and steroids than both suburban and urban teens. Of important note is the high prevalence of "crystal-meth" use among rural teens. Executive summary available online.
  • Heavy And Binge Drinking In Rural America: A Comparison Of Rural And Urban Counties From 1995/1997 Through 1999/2001
    Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Substance abuse
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 95
    Date: 02 / 2005
    Assesses the prevalence of, and recent trends in, alcohol use among adults 18 years and older in rural areas of the United States. It uses a random digit telephone survey method to gather information on alcohol use among adults in 49 states and the District of Columbia that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The paper finds that heavy drinking was highest and increasing in urban areas, but that binge drinking was greater in rural areas. It recommends tailoring interventions specifically to meet the needs of rural residents. Report available upon request by contacting rhrc@fammed.washington.edu.
  • Violence and Rural Teens: Teen Violence, Drug Use, and School-Based Prevention Services in Rural America (Fact Sheet)
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children, Physical abuse and domestic violence, Substance abuse
    Date: 2005
    Fact sheet covering the key findings from a study of violence and drug use among rural teens. A full report is also available.

2003

  • Prevalence And Trends In Smoking: A National Rural Study
    Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson, Anthony F. Jerant, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Substance abuse
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 85
    Date: 12 / 2003
    Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the research showed that the prevalence of smoking between 1994-1996 and 2000-2001 did not change substantially for the United States as a whole. The prevalence of smoking for rural residents decreased by more than 2 percent in six states (CA, CT, MD, NC, TN, UT). However, it increased by 2 percent or more in ten states. Report available on request.
  • Prevalence of Health Related Behavioral Risk Factors Among Non-Metro Minority Adults
    Author(s): P. Daniel Patterson, Charity G. Moore, Janice C. Probst, Michael E. Samuels
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health, Substance abuse
    Date: 08 / 2003
    Data on tobacco use, seat belt use, and alcohol consumption among rural minority adults. Includes recommendations and detailed data tables.
  • Rural-Urban Difference in Health Care Benefits of Community-Based Sample of At-Risk Drinkers
    Author(s): John C. Fortney, Brenda M. Booth, JoAnn E. Kirchner, Xiaotong Han
    Research center: WICHE Center for Rural Mental Health Research
    Topic: Substance abuse
    Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 19(3), 292-298
    Date: 2003
    Compares the cost-containment strategies used by health plans of insured at-risk drinkers residing in rural and urban areas.
  • Behavioral Risk Factors Among Rural Hispanics
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Hispanics, Substance abuse
    Date: 2003
    Discusses seat belt use, tobacco use, and alcohol use among rural Hispanics.
  • Behavioral Risk Factors Among Rural African Americans
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: African Americans, Health promotion and disease prevention, Substance abuse
    Date: 2003
    Discusses seat belt use, tobacco use, and alcohol use among rural African Americans.

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This web site includes content provided by and adapted from the Maine Rural Health Research Center, University of Southern Maine under a Cooperative Agreement with the University of North Dakota.